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

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ISSUE NO. 6

December 2024

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Poetry

Mirror, Mirror

By

Bukks

Bukks writes from Loddon Prison in Victoria.

'8:17', by Chris, 2015, Boom Gate Gallery

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is this man I see?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, that man there can't be me?

I don't know him, he is not me, this reflection can't be true?

He seems a little familiar, but the signs of me are few?

Don't recognise the lines I see, don't recognise the grey hair,

When I last looked at you, I was young, how is what I see now fair?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, where did all the time go?

The whole world I've seem to’ve lost, but how was I to know?

Mirror, mirror on the wall, slow down, I can't keep pace.

In my head I'm still the same, it's you who's changed my face,

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, all I see is just a stranger.

To look at those cold, steely eyes, I can see in them only danger.

If this is me or meant to be, how could the time have gone?

This man that is here looking back, you must have got it wrong.

In this face, all I can see is the loneliness and pain.

If this is me, then my dark eyes are all that do remain.

Mirror, you have taken all my strength and all my youth,

All I liked about myself; now gone, I see the proof.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, my friends where are they now?

They've married & they've moved on; they've forgot you anyhow.

Mirror, I'm the same but changed, how can this be my story?

My hopes & dreams now stolen, while I'm stuck in purgatory.

The time has got the best of me, left me with only grief,

I'm looking at you, mirror, but I look with disbelief.

Where is freedom, mirror? And who then gets to decide?

You said I'd have a wife, and kids to raise, mirror, have you then lied?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, I can't take this anymore,

My face has grown so old now, while my head is still at war.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, you have me under thumb,

Is all that's good now gone, or is there any good to come?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is this man I see?

The man who came inside here's not the same man who'll get free!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is this man I see?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, that man there can't be me?

I don't know him, he is not me, this reflection can't be true?

He seems a little familiar, but the signs of me are few?

Don't recognise the lines I see, don't recognise the grey hair,

When I last looked at you, I was young, how is what I see now fair?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, where did all the time go?

The whole world I've seem to’ve lost, but how was I to know?

Mirror, mirror on the wall, slow down, I can't keep pace.

In my head I'm still the same, it's you who's changed my face,

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, all I see is just a stranger.

To look at those cold, steely eyes, I can see in them only danger.

If this is me or meant to be, how could the time have gone?

This man that is here looking back, you must have got it wrong.

In this face, all I can see is the loneliness and pain.

If this is me, then my dark eyes are all that do remain.

Mirror, you have taken all my strength and all my youth,

All I liked about myself; now gone, I see the proof.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, my friends where are they now?

They've married & they've moved on; they've forgot you anyhow.

Mirror, I'm the same but changed, how can this be my story?

My hopes & dreams now stolen, while I'm stuck in purgatory.

The time has got the best of me, left me with only grief,

I'm looking at you, mirror, but I look with disbelief.

Where is freedom, mirror? And who then gets to decide?

You said I'd have a wife, and kids to raise, mirror, have you then lied?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, I can't take this anymore,

My face has grown so old now, while my head is still at war.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, you have me under thumb,

Is all that's good now gone, or is there any good to come?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is this man I see?

The man who came inside here's not the same man who'll get free!

How to Make Bannoffee Pie in a Secure Unit

By Garth

A sweet treat using buy-up staples.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

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.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

I Hate You, Crystal Meth

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.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ

Twelve Years Trying to Patch Up My Soul

By Abynei

My blue eyes look so drained, but I’m strong, I’ll make it through.

Creative

ISSUE NO. 20

1 MIN READ