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ISSUE NO. 12

July 2025

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Poetry

A Dialogue Between Poets

By

Krystal

Krystal writes from Numinbah Correctional Centre in Queensland.

Willy Pleasance

I found this poem titled Until and I wrote a poem on my reflection to it.

Until

By Anonymous

Until you’ve been arrested

And spent endless days in jail

And walked a hundred miles

Without ever leaving your cell

Until you’ve lost your family

And you’re utterly alone

You try to seek comfort

Realizing it was left at home

Until you’ve faced a judge

And entered your guilty plea

you’ve heard the words of judgment

That you won’t be going free

Until your days turn into months

And months turn into years

You lie awake at night

Shedding endless tears

Until you’ve lost all hope

And every dream you’ve ever had

You fight to keep your sanity

And fear that you’ll go mad

Until you’ve gone through these things

And lost all human will

How can you look at me and say

You know how I feel.

But Then

By Krystal

But then you say to yourself

Fuck it!

I’ve got this, I mean I’ve already pretty much done it

I’m in the now. So why not live in the present

Take my learns and see them as a lesson

So rather seeing my plea as I’m already forgotten

Take it with grace and receive

It for the blessing

As there is something at play here much more than you know

But then in time you’ll see,

It will be discovered as you begin to grow

From dust to ashes as the Bible would say,

Meaning let go take the reigns

Whilst you love in him each and every day

But then you see it, you finally see it

How it’s all been in your head,

How it’s all been an illusion

As you slip away from the worldly delusion

To the picking yourself up to start setting your soul free

As you make this the beginning of you changing your life’s plea.

I found this poem titled Until and I wrote a poem on my reflection to it.

Until

By Anonymous

Until you’ve been arrested

And spent endless days in jail

And walked a hundred miles

Without ever leaving your cell

Until you’ve lost your family

And you’re utterly alone

You try to seek comfort

Realizing it was left at home

Until you’ve faced a judge

And entered your guilty plea

you’ve heard the words of judgment

That you won’t be going free

Until your days turn into months

And months turn into years

You lie awake at night

Shedding endless tears

Until you’ve lost all hope

And every dream you’ve ever had

You fight to keep your sanity

And fear that you’ll go mad

Until you’ve gone through these things

And lost all human will

How can you look at me and say

You know how I feel.

But Then

By Krystal

But then you say to yourself

Fuck it!

I’ve got this, I mean I’ve already pretty much done it

I’m in the now. So why not live in the present

Take my learns and see them as a lesson

So rather seeing my plea as I’m already forgotten

Take it with grace and receive

It for the blessing

As there is something at play here much more than you know

But then in time you’ll see,

It will be discovered as you begin to grow

From dust to ashes as the Bible would say,

Meaning let go take the reigns

Whilst you love in him each and every day

But then you see it, you finally see it

How it’s all been in your head,

How it’s all been an illusion

As you slip away from the worldly delusion

To the picking yourself up to start setting your soul free

As you make this the beginning of you changing your life’s plea.

How to Make Bannoffee Pie in a Secure Unit

By Garth

A sweet treat using buy-up staples.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

I Am Tired

By Anthony

Tired from being told what to do. I am tired of love, tired of being deemed guilty, tired of my own remorse. I am tired of my own self-doubt, my own shadows and especially tired of my own face.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

I Hate You, Crystal Meth

By Mackenzie

Hate’s a strong word, but for you it’s reserved. I hate what you’ve taken from me, my parents, my childhood and my glee.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

Twelve Years Trying to Patch Up My Soul

By Abynei

My blue eyes look so drained, but I’m strong, I’ll make it through.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ