By Daniel
The pain that I feel, this place that I’m in, these four walls closing in…
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!

The pain that I feel, this place that I’m in, these four walls closing in…
As this time comes to an end, I wonder which way the next will bend. The earth and moon will do their thing, I’ll embrace everything.
To all the prisoners who have ever spent time away from the ones they love.
If I couldn't do my art I would of done something crazy or gone crazy it's starting to take it's toll on me.

Why should you suffer for my pain. Knowledge in this I should try to gain. Does it feel I have left you alone? It may feel I have cut you to the bone, but please believe me, my love is true, I know in the past I didn’t know what to do.

Memories arise, an echo's gentle sway, circling 'round me, crays of yesterday. Recalling her smile, so beautiful and bright, a beacon of joy in the softest light.

My name is Zoe. I am 37 years old and I was in prison for 6 years. I am currently on parole and have been out of prison for a year and a half. Since then I have been a core member of the Formerly Incarcerated Girls Justice Advocates Melbourne (FIGJAM) Collective.

All men love their freedom, and the freedom they do take. Freedom can be lost, by making many mistakes. Don't take freedom for granted, as they may take it away. Prisons were invented, just to make a young man pay.

When the light returns and the long night fades, and dawn slips soft through shadowed shades, you feel the hush before the day – a whisper of grace that finds its way.

They expect us to play ball, but always move the goalposts. They expect us to hold boundaries, the same they overstep. They want us to abide, but break their own rules.

Christmas day without my family, was such a terrible burden to bare, no Christmas tree, decorations, no presents, no laughter, no joy, no Christmas fare.


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