Inside/Outside
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Poetry
Outside these prison walls exists real life,
Going daily about their business in haste.
The hustle and bustle, too busy to stop,
Lives synchronised, and no time to waste.
Mothers with tired children in tow,
Screaming, crying, wanting to go home.
Men in smart suits walking with purpose,
Others oblivious to all, chatting on their phone.
The train station bursting with passengers,
Waiting to board for their trip to work.
Annoyed, frustrated with another day at the office
A young lad on a skateboard, being such a jerk.
A drunken man, filthy clothes, hungry and begging,
No one stops to pander to his feeble please.
So many different faces, voices and religions
A collage of wide and varied nationalities.
All these people have lives of meaning and purpose,
Busy, full, entertaining and hectic lives.
Bonded together by the common thread of family,
There for each other, in times of good or strife.
But inside these prison walls, lives are broken,
Chastened by a system that abhors crime.
Their souls hardened by years of hatred and anger,
No meaning, no purpose, just doing their time.
The clock never stops, while doing
their time.
Outside these prison walls exists real life,
Going daily about their business in haste.
The hustle and bustle, too busy to stop,
Lives synchronised, and no time to waste.
Mothers with tired children in tow,
Screaming, crying, wanting to go home.
Men in smart suits walking with purpose,
Others oblivious to all, chatting on their phone.
The train station bursting with passengers,
Waiting to board for their trip to work.
Annoyed, frustrated with another day at the office
A young lad on a skateboard, being such a jerk.
A drunken man, filthy clothes, hungry and begging,
No one stops to pander to his feeble please.
So many different faces, voices and religions
A collage of wide and varied nationalities.
All these people have lives of meaning and purpose,
Busy, full, entertaining and hectic lives.
Bonded together by the common thread of family,
There for each other, in times of good or strife.
But inside these prison walls, lives are broken,
Chastened by a system that abhors crime.
Their souls hardened by years of hatred and anger,
No meaning, no purpose, just doing their time.
The clock never stops, while doing
their time.
Date Published
November 11, 2025
Dan’s Drawing
By Dan
A drawing of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, sent to us by Dan.
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ISSUE NO. 25
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1 MIN READ
Self Reflection
By Sofia
Often I try to self-reflect which turns into waves of rings around me. This picture reflects my days in general; life is static, surrounded by waves around.
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ISSUE NO. 25
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1 MIN READ
Beyond the Steel Mesh
By Anonymous
The cage stands bold, with its steel-clad mesh. For within its grip, it’s us it holds. Ten foot walls, of cold creme concrete. For outside we muster, like horses in stalls.
Creative
ISSUE NO. 25
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2 MIN READ
Burning Broken Thoughts
By Wolverine
I know you think you’re broken far too much to ever heal properly, like all those other folk that make life seem so real.
Creative