" How can you explain the loneliness I felt?
While In the darkness by myself.
How can you explain the hurt that exists
from the trauma that persists.

My voice seems lost
Or as if aside it is tossed.
My breath was taken
the moment my reality was shaken

My defensive behaviors were created
to protect me and became automated
In my fight, flight or freeze response
my intimacy with others was lost at once.

Now more darkness falls upon me
for the protective behaviors no longer protect me
but keeps me in the darkness by myself. "

― Shreve Gould