Story Tellers: True Poet, Erica Saffer, David Girard
Musical Guest: Brent Byrd

The fourth episode of Untold Stories was recorded live on stage at the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville on Sunday, February 12, 2022.

Brent Byrd kicked off the episode with his bluesy song Wrong Way Road which urges listeners to let go of negative emotions and thoughts, and get on the right path towards peace and unity. The lyrics emphasize the importance of leaving behind loneliness, clearing away confusion, and moving forward together towards a better future.

The first storyteller of the episode, True Poet, shares the traumatic experiences of being sexually abused by his uncle from the age of eight to thirteen. He had been holding his breath for years, until he finally found the courage to speak up and confront his uncle. However, even after his uncle moved away, the trauma and shame remained with him, and he struggled to find a way to move on with his life.

True eventually decided to start a new life for himself, moving to a new city and finding solace in Memorial Park. He was inspired by a sculpture of an angel floating above turbulent waters, which represented a beacon of strength to him. He began to use his voice to speak up for other survivors, eventually sharing his story with his parents and finding a sense of healing and closure.

True’s story explores the complex emotional and psychological aftermath of sexual abuse, and the importance of finding a sense of strength and empowerment in the face of trauma. His journey serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of self-discovery and healing.

The next story, by Erica Saffer, follows her personal journey growing up in Florida, with her grandparents' summer love story as a backdrop. The Weeki Wachee Springs, named after the Seminole tribe meaning "winding rivers," became the place where her grandparents fell deeply in love while working as a mermaid and a maintenance worker.

Erica's upbringing was along the banks of the Julington Creek River in Mandarin, Florida, where she met Nordell, a man who embodied the wildness of Florida. They fell in love and had a son, Rivers, when Erica was only 19. Despite their struggles, Erica worked hard to provide for her family, getting her teaching degree and MFA, becoming an author, and giving back to her community.

Now, as her son Rivers is on the cusp of adulthood, Erica reflects on their shifting relationship and worries if she has equipped him enough for success. She realizes that their relationship is changing, and she may need to be a little more bold and strong-willed, like Rivers, to relax and enjoy where their winding river will take them.

David Girard, the final storyteller of the evening, shares a compelling and humorous tale about his experience with a free house that was gifted to him by his “evil” grandmother. The house was in Callahan, a town that was notorious for being a sundown town, where black people were expected to leave before the sun went down. David's girlfriend, now wife, saw the potential in the house, despite its flaws, and they moved in.

The house had its fair share of issues, from uneven studs to a malfunctioning well pump and septic tank that overflowed every year. Despite all the challenges, David and his family cherished the memories they made in the house, from throwing parties to taking care of his father-in-law until he passed away. It was also the place where David's “good” grandmother, who had worked in white people's kitchens before, was called "Ma" and "Grandma" by his friends during his wedding reception. The love and respect shown to her by David's diverse group of friends meant the world to her and represented a powerful moment of recognition and acceptance after a lifetime of hard work and discrimination.

Now building a new house in a drier area, David reflects on his time in the old house with a sense of nostalgia. He acknowledges that the new house will have its own set of problems, but the swamp house has left an indelible mark on him and his family. Through David's witty and engaging storytelling, we are reminded that sometimes the challenges we face can lead us to unexpected places and create lasting memories.

Brent Byrd's closing song, Shine a Light, is a heartfelt plea for guidance and direction in difficult times. The lyrics speak of feeling lost and alone in the midst of a cold, dark night, and the desire for a guiding light to show the way. Byrd's soulful vocals and driving acoustic guitar create an uplifting and hopeful atmosphere, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward despite the challenges they face.