J.T. Shannon

J.T. Shannon is a poet and prose writer and the author of the poetry collection Ghosts of Menace Street . He has an M.F.A in Creative Writing and has had the honor of having his work included in both A Case For the Personhood of Trees , and With Dim Lights & Obsidian Tongues: A Pomona Poetry Anthology. His second greatest accomplishment was escaping the California neighborhood of Mennes Ave., which he attributes to the outpouring of support he and his sister received following their parent’s deaths. His first greatest accomplishment was raising his sister afterwards. His wish for his own work is that it gives hope to those wrestling with their own ghosts, stuck on their own menace streets.

Pic: Taken in 2020 of Mennes Ave. and J.T.’s family home (far left) in the background in Rubidoux, CA where he grew up.

In his poems… J.T. Shannon has written a poignant, heartbreaking exploration of the pain and trauma of an abusive upbringing. These are poems that sear the soul, simple and yet profound meditations on grief and guilt and longing. And yet, as he recalls the poverty and apparent hopelessness of his childhood, what emerges is a portrait of compassion and courage, and of survival. One of his poems begins, ‘I am a being that shouldn’t be/I am against the odds.’ And so is this remarkable collection.”

~ Robin Russin, Professor of screenwriting and playwriting in the Department of Theatre, Film & Digital Production at the University of California, Riverside

“Very well written and illustrated anthology of poems. Gripping, tear jerking reality of life. The reality is that there are menace streets in to many places in our country and our world. This book tells the truth about expectations and assumptions of social services through the eyes of the youth that must endure and experience it. This book should be a required read for every University and or social services division. It takes courage to put these experiences into words and then share them with all willing to read. Thank you.”

~ Susie Q.