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About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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ISSUE NO. 9

April 2025

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Poetry

After Darkness Comes Light

By

Rachel

Rachel writes from Numinbah Correctional Centre in Queensland.

'Flying Barn Owl 2' by Jonothon, available for purchase at Boom Gate Gallery

When you feel broken and can’t remember who you used to be, please know that person is still inside of you, waiting to be acknowledged and validated. Find a calm place, go inside of your soul. That is where the goodness lies.

When you believe the lies you have been told – that you’re ‘broken’ or that you’re a ‘bad’ person, that’s the moment you need to remember that is simply not true.  

Your essence is good, you are worthy of good things and you are a good person.

The thing about the way you feel is that it's only temporary. I know that your mind is consumed right now, suffocating you to a point where you can't think or see straight. Please remember these feelings won't last. It may not feel like it right now, but these feelings will fade in time. Like a hurricane, the whirlwind of life can wrap you up and spin you around so fast and so violently. But just like the eye of a storm, calmness and peace will come too.

You may not believe me and some days I struggle to believe it too. On those days I remind myself, everything is unfolding exactly how it's supposed to, even if you can't see it just yet.

Think about it, you have survived every tough day in your life so far, and this is no different. Please trust that the universe has a plan for you, you are so much stronger than you think you are right now. You are not alone in your struggle. I promise you this.

Hold tight to the people who have your best interests at heart. They are there to remind you of your inner strengths, capabilities and worth. If you don't know who to turn to or trust again, go within and search for love. Perhaps the only trustworthy person is you right now, but in time, that too will change. This is a reminder to choose you. You are enough, even if you don't feel like it. You always have been enough. You are worthy of love. You are capable of growing and changing.

You are never alone.

Good things are coming your way –because you are choosing different this time.

When you feel broken and can’t remember who you used to be, please know that person is still inside of you, waiting to be acknowledged and validated. Find a calm place, go inside of your soul. That is where the goodness lies.

When you believe the lies you have been told – that you’re ‘broken’ or that you’re a ‘bad’ person, that’s the moment you need to remember that is simply not true.  

Your essence is good, you are worthy of good things and you are a good person.

The thing about the way you feel is that it's only temporary. I know that your mind is consumed right now, suffocating you to a point where you can't think or see straight. Please remember these feelings won't last. It may not feel like it right now, but these feelings will fade in time. Like a hurricane, the whirlwind of life can wrap you up and spin you around so fast and so violently. But just like the eye of a storm, calmness and peace will come too.

You may not believe me and some days I struggle to believe it too. On those days I remind myself, everything is unfolding exactly how it's supposed to, even if you can't see it just yet.

Think about it, you have survived every tough day in your life so far, and this is no different. Please trust that the universe has a plan for you, you are so much stronger than you think you are right now. You are not alone in your struggle. I promise you this.

Hold tight to the people who have your best interests at heart. They are there to remind you of your inner strengths, capabilities and worth. If you don't know who to turn to or trust again, go within and search for love. Perhaps the only trustworthy person is you right now, but in time, that too will change. This is a reminder to choose you. You are enough, even if you don't feel like it. You always have been enough. You are worthy of love. You are capable of growing and changing.

You are never alone.

Good things are coming your way –because you are choosing different this time.

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