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

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ISSUE NO. 3

September 2024

ISSUE NO. 3

+

Sections

September 2024

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Poetry

Legal Dogma

By

SKS – 7K2

The writer, who uses a pseudonym, writes from Lithgow Prison in New South Wales.

Patrick Tomasso

Obey you must O’feeable citizen, do you dare to cross the line?

March in formation and resist temptation, only in film can you live those golden lives.

Transgress not the legal Dogma, For it is not your place to play.

That arena is for the daring and the ones that got away.

It will burn away at your psyche, then maybe should you try?

Or will you cower away from elation, the only true freedom lies in alibi.

It is not without great stigma, and tormenting time away.

But you will only read of it in books? Or gamble courage without delay.

Will you die a dim lit lantern or blaze with fury for what you believe?

Because those that command you of their bidding, are the ones who decree masks to deceive.

Make no mistake in knowing, that the truth is rarely told.

It’s those that break the rules who have Platinum, Diamonds and Gold.

Incarceration builds character, you will wear it with pride & glee.

Know you would much prefer it, then to fade away into obscurity.

We are the noble outlaws, our moral compass free to roam.

Harm wished upon no one, except Tyranny that mans the throne.

Do not point your finger at us, for we are who you crave to be.

True criminals evade your senses, while they tax you in harmony.

Obey you must O’feeable citizen, do you dare to cross the line?

March in formation and resist temptation, only in film can you live those golden lives.

Transgress not the legal Dogma, For it is not your place to play.

That arena is for the daring and the ones that got away.

It will burn away at your psyche, then maybe should you try?

Or will you cower away from elation, the only true freedom lies in alibi.

It is not without great stigma, and tormenting time away.

But you will only read of it in books? Or gamble courage without delay.

Will you die a dim lit lantern or blaze with fury for what you believe?

Because those that command you of their bidding, are the ones who decree masks to deceive.

Make no mistake in knowing, that the truth is rarely told.

It’s those that break the rules who have Platinum, Diamonds and Gold.

Incarceration builds character, you will wear it with pride & glee.

Know you would much prefer it, then to fade away into obscurity.

We are the noble outlaws, our moral compass free to roam.

Harm wished upon no one, except Tyranny that mans the throne.

Do not point your finger at us, for we are who you crave to be.

True criminals evade your senses, while they tax you in harmony.

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

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