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. 11
June 2025

Ode to Ashton – Now Eighteen

By Jacqui

My little boy has grown so strong, I can’t believe its been this long, since he raised his tiny head, and gazed at me in the hospital bed.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 11
June 2025

My Brother Anthony

By Karie

Brain tumour, brain tumour, a darkness you can’t see, oh how I hate you, you took my brother away from me.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 11
June 2025

Jesus DMC – Based on a True Story

By John

Rob (my cellie) and I were about to go to sleep one miserable cold night, and a mouse (Jesus DMC) died and went up to the pearly gates and knocked.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

You Were Warned

By Anastasia

If you turn to drugs instead, to silence the villains in your head. Or to minimise the self harm to your arm, without causing alarm.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Journey in a Poem

By April

Three four walls to sit in. Three four thoughts to think in.

1 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

A Beacon of Joy

By Denis

In every ripple, her essence I find, a memory cherished, sweetly entwined. Her smile, a memory, forever aglow, like creeks that swell, and never forego.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Good Seed

By RM

Home sounds so sweet to the heart, if only shown from the very start. I only wish for my hands to be freed, don’t beat me up about my past. Coz I truly am a good seed.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025

Mind Incarceration

By Red Dragon

There's demons in my mind, I'm struggling to think. Life's leaving me behind, as deeper, I sink.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

She'll Be Apples

By Angela

This image depicts the wild woman and the apple tree. It is inspired by the character 'Aofie' in this year's production.

2 MIN READ
ISSUE NO. 9
April 2025

Love Worshipful (a Midnight Repose)

By Jon

Some say Love is overrated. It has no relevance anymore I say. I know more than love unbound, I can make these prayerful sounds.

3 MIN READ

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