Out of the Darkness, Into the Light By. Shannon Brown
- Shannon Brown
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
They taught me early to be on alert,
To lock up my trust in the dirt.
A childhood stolen, a baseline of fear,
Made the chaotic feel familiar and near.
But a cage is a cage, even when it feels known,
And I spent too many years feeling small and alone.
Then came the praise, the rush, and the spark,
A clever illusion designed for the dark.
He built up the pedestal, drew me right in,
Before the distortion was set to begin.
“Too clingy,” he whispered, rewriting the rules,
Using my history as one of his tools.
I bent and I shrank to fit in his space,
Believing his lies as he masked his true face.
Then came the time the line was erased,
A terrifying horror that cannot be displaced.
Hands from behind, the air slipping away,
As my vision went black in the heat of the fray.
No consent was given, no permission was made,
To watch my own life slowly fracture and fade.
When I woke to the wreckage, he brushed it aside,
A monster who relies on the places we hide.
He gaslit my mind, made me second-guess truth,
Weaponized trauma I’ve carried since youth.
He moves through the town, playing roles on a stage,
Pretending he’s changed as he turns a new page.
He posts about "changing" to clear out his name,
But true accountability isn't a game.
It’s not a social media caption or thread,
It’s a jail cell for every tear that was shed.
But look at me now, standing straight, standing tall,
I am not the girl he left trapped building up walls.
I am loved, I am trusting, my anchor is deep,
I have reclaimed the promises I mean to keep.
I am breaking the silence, though deny it he may,
I refuse to carry an ounce of his shame.
To the others he hurt: you are no longer alone,
Our voices are weapons, our truth is a stone.
The darkness is over, the masking must end,
Our assaulter can no longer deny and pretend.
The system is slow, but my spirit is free,
And he never will write the conclusion to me.
Continue the Journey
If this poem spoke to you, know that you are not alone.
Healing is not a straight line. Some days feel like progress. Some days feel like survival. Both matter. Both count.
If you're looking for more stories of resilience, hope, and healing, I invite you to continue exploring the resources and projects that have grown from my own journey as a survivor.
Read Because of Jane
My award-winning memoir-inspired novel, Because of Jane, tells the story of a young girl navigating abuse, survival, and ultimately finding hope. Through the eyes of a doll named Jane, it explores the realities of childhood trauma while reminding survivors that their stories matter.
Explore The Jane Project
The Jane Project was created to amplify survivor voices and remind people that everyone has a "Jane", someone, something, or someplace that helped them survive. Together, we are creating a web of resilience, one story at a time.
Follow the Survivors' Anthem Series
Music has been one of the greatest healing tools in my life. The Survivors' Anthem Series explores songs that have helped survivors find strength, hope, courage, and healing through some of life's darkest moments.
Personal Safety Matters
As a survivor of childhood abuse and domestic violence, personal safety remains incredibly important to me. That's why I partnered with Hootie Personal Safety Alarms.
Hootie alarms feature a powerful 130 dB alarm and high-impact LED strobe light in a compact, easy-to-carry design. I keep one attached to my purse, my dog's leash, and with me wherever I go.
Visit GetHootie.com and use code JANE to save 10% on your order.
Even better, for every 4 Hooties purchased using my code, 1 is donated to a domestic violence shelter, helping survivors gain access to an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.
Thank you for being here, for reading, and for helping break the silence.
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