ISSUE NO. 20
MARCH 2026

Creative

This section publishes creative contributions mostly from currently and formerly incarcerated people. It includes short-stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, and much more.

If you have something creative to submit to us, we would love to read it, or see it, and publish it in About Time – please write to us!

Latest

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.

ISSUE NO. 20
Mr Challis draws from a prison in QLD.

‘I Still Stand Tall Like A Tall Oak Tree’

By Little Savage

Being in prison is lonely at night. It’s waiting for letters that friends and family forget to write. It’s sitting around with nothing to do just figuring out who is who.

ISSUE NO. 20
1 MIN READ
Drawing also by Little Savage
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.

ISSUE NO. 20
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.

ISSUE NO. 20
1 MIN READ
By Matt

Prison is not fun, prison is not jolly, there’s rarely any smiles and for the tears, bring your brolly. Prison is dirty and prison is hard, lose focus for a minute and get done in the yard.

ISSUE NO. 20
3 MIN READ

Previous Editions

ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

An Ode to Tree Hugging

By Simon

In the past, I laughed at tree huggers, sandalwood-scented hippy buggers. But all that hatred was ill-fated, now that I'm incarcerated.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Treasures Lost

By Joey

Where once I held, a life so charmed, so clean. So pure. Not odd!

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

The Cell

By Rossco

One day we will part, “Yes” you and me, that’s the day they set you free.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Only Three

By A.S.

I think that God is dead, and he really isn't there, or maybe he is on strike, and he just doesn't care.

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

Mirror, Mirror

By Bukks

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is this man I see? Mirror, mirror, on the wall, that man there can't be me?

3 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 6
December 2024

A Symphony of Joy

By Denis

In the quiet of my heart, I confess, a burden of guilt, a silent distress.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

My Son

By A.S.

One cold and windy night, I laid upon my gaol bed, and as I closed my eyes, I heard a voice that said: “Please don’t be afraid, I wish to speak with you, maybe you will listen, to my words that are true.”

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Behind These Eyes

By MULLO

No one can see the shame and guilt, trapped behind these eyes. As I sit here in a prison cell, all due to a pack of lies.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024

Last Letter

Anonymous

Clean me of this damaged life and make it right. And I swear I will do whatever it takes to be a better man. I swear it.

2 MIN READ

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