I’m Sara Cassidy and have been writing as a way of recovering from trauma for many years. Much of my writing focuses on healing from toxic religious trauma.

Maybe I cannot shout
my story—
yet.
I shrink from microphones
and podiums

but if I listen carefully
to my heart,
let it lead me,
I can whisper a ragged sentence
here and there
in a quiet corner
to a kind ear.

That is how one begins
to tell their story.
Whisper.
Safe.
I am safe now.

Maybe I can
string together words
and stare at them,
trembling,
before releasing them to the
world—
if I’m feeling brave.

Maybe I can let it leak out
of my soul
down my face
or scream it into a pillow
when it feels too
unfair.

I cannot write happy
endings
at each chapter
but I can find
peace,
release.
I can know
I am safe now.