title: Into the Darkness: Poems about trauma, love, loss, family, abuse and survival
author: Matthew Jones
description: Matthew Jones is a 25 year old man of trans experience. He is a trauma survivor and writes poetry from his heart. He had to learn how to love himself on the inside and. He shares his struggles through his poetry and hopes to inspire others through his work.
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  Breaking Free: A Poetic Journey of Healing
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I dedicate this book to my Father: Your darkness forced me to seek out my own
  light. Thank you for teaching me, by example, the person I never want to be.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Preface:
  
  
  When I was a child I loved to read. It was one of my methods of escape, a
  coping mechanism of sorts. I started writing short stories in grade school,
  and later poetry. I have now written poetry for over half my life, but only in
  the last few years have I used it as a method for healing. It all started in
  November of 2014, when I decided to write my father a letter to address all
  the hurt, pain, scars, and rejection I was left with as a result of the
  horrific abuse he subjected me to as a child. Letting go of that burden was
  hard -- Who was I, if I was not his victim anymore? What am I, if I am not
  damaged? I did not know. In a lot of ways I am still learning. What I do know,
  is I am not his victim anymo