Defending my dream cost my mother her life

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Former US poet laureate Natasha Trethewey began writing to express her feelings about her violent stepfather. She told Oulook's Jo Fidgen how it became her comfort and career, after her worst fears came true. Her memoir is called Memorial Drive. Any comments please email us on outlook@bbc.com Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder and Sophie Eastaugh Picture: Natasha Trethewey receives an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree at Emerson College in 2015 Credit: Paul Marotta/Getty Images