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

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ISSUE NO. 20

March 2026

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Poetry

I Hate You, Crystal Meth

By

Mackenzie

Mackenzie writes from a prison in WA.

'No Medication for You When Problems Arise at the Clinic' by Jamie, 2014, acrylic on canvas, available on Boom Gate Gallery

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.

Now all but a simply a distant memory.

The destruction you’ve caused,

Without even touching my lips,

Is so great, it’s not fair.

You’ve taken everything and left me in despair.

I live in constant fear, that you’ll take him too,

I just don’t know what else I can do.

Your grip is so strong, but he’s the love of my life,

Will it be you or I who becomes his wife?

I hate you, I do.

More than words can express,

For all the damage you’ve caused,

To those I know best.

I absolutely hate you, Crystal Meth.

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.

Now all but a simply a distant memory.

The destruction you’ve caused,

Without even touching my lips,

Is so great, it’s not fair.

You’ve taken everything and left me in despair.

I live in constant fear, that you’ll take him too,

I just don’t know what else I can do.

Your grip is so strong, but he’s the love of my life,

Will it be you or I who becomes his wife?

I hate you, I do.

More than words can express,

For all the damage you’ve caused,

To those I know best.

I absolutely hate you, Crystal Meth.

Art From Inside

By Lanie

Our team was blown away by this beautiful painting.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

You Don’t Know Your Worth

By Flame

Don't fear my love, everything’s alright. Don't fear my friends, the future looks bright.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 21

2 MIN READ

‘Love Is Blind And It Can Make You See’

By Caleb

Love’s definition cannot be just one, not one, two or more but a tonne. Love is the greatest quality of them all, a verse written by the poet Paul.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ

Apocalypse of the Mind

By Emma-lee

I sit here watching the second-hand ticking by as it slowly keeps passing my time... And just as I thought the world can’t be changed it's an apocalypse of the mind.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 21

1 MIN READ