Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

Australia's National
Prison Newspaper

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ISSUE NO. 6

AUGUST 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

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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!

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About Time.

A place for news and education, expression and hope.

Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.

Donate Here

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