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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.

Falling Like Angels

By Daniel

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

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

As This Time Comes to an End

By Punkin

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.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

‘God, I Am Deeply Sorry’: A Poem for the Prisoners We’ve Lost

By Triste

To all the prisoners who have ever spent time away from the ones they love.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

‘Tingers’ and the Squirrel Box

By Sara

In Creative Learning we get to see some amazing stuff made by talented people. The best part is hearing the stories behind how creative projects have come to life.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

Help Us Keep Publishing About Time

Without About Time, I don’t know where I would be – Mark, from a prison in Victoria

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.

Australia’s prison population is growing, and our many prisons are spread far and wide.

We need your help so that we can print and distribute the paper to every person in every prison for at least the next year. We need your help to cover postage for anyone who sends us a letter from the inside.

We value whatever you can spare, no matter how big or small.