T.W. Although ‘Cocoon’ has a positive message, this song may feel triggering for people who have suffered domestic violence, or those who have had adverse childhood experiences. Please remember that you can leave to take a break at any point during the performance if you do become distressed.
The metaphor of a cocoon is a layered and complex one for me personally. Throughout my research on the intersections between feminism, domestic violence and songwriting, it has struck me that the somewhat natural tendency to retreat to heal from a trauma is only protective for so long. Hiding away until we feel better can quickly become a trap and the same voices that we are trying to escape by turning inwards can end up dominating our mental landscape. Similarly, if the butterfly doesn't break out of its cocoon, it will die, and so emerging from it is a necessity:
'It was nice for a while,
Chrysalis, naked bliss,
To live and dream by your hands.
But I don't want to live
In a silk spun prison of your plans.'
Hatcher (qtd. in Martin, 2011, p. 27) mentions that ‘treating complex trauma requires helping the preson to re-enter the society from which [they] had previously felt separated’, and I wanted to see if I could address this call back into community sonically. Audio recordings of friends and family can be heard at the end of the performance, which was intended as a sonic representation of how community can affect the mental landscape of trauma survivors positively. You may notice throughout the course of the performance that the upsetting phrase ‘you’ve got too much to say for a little girl' is gradually drowned out by the voices of my friends and family, which ultimately represents the positive change that my community has had on me.
Further Reading
MARTIN, J., 2011. Songs Within Walls: The Therapeutic Benefits of Songwriting With Incarcerated Female Survivors of Trauma, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Resources
Women’s Aid:
Information and support on domestic abuse.
Website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 2000 247
The Mankind Initiative:
Help for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Website: https://www.mankind.org.uk
Helpline: 01823 334244
Mind
Information about and support for a wide range of mental health conditions.
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/
Helpline: 0300 102 1234