Dear About Time,

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My partner and I are both currently locked up down here in Tasmania. Your newspaper has been a huge hit in both the women's and the men's prisons, so I thought I'd send you something from both of us.

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Corey painted this sunflower painting for me, which prompted the inspiration for my poem that I've submitted for the upcoming "Artists with Conviction” exhibition. We are both no strangers to the system, having been in prisons across Queensland and NSW (and now Tassie). But we're hoping this will be the last time for us!

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Hope you like the painting and the poem. Keep up the awesome prints! We all love and appreciate them down here.

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Warm regards,

Alex, MHWP Tasmania

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A six-digit number, takes place of your name

The person you were, no longer the same.

Little did you realise the life you once led

Has landed you here, be grateful you're not dead.

Stripped of your freedom, your dignity and pride

Though locked behind bars, you cannot hide.

Your mind pools with regret from all that you've done

The life you once enjoyed, no longer seems fun.

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Every day is a struggle just to get out of bed

You plead for forgiveness inside of your head.

But the sooner you grapple with your new reality

The quicker you'll settle and see how good life can be.

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For as bad as it is, there's a reason you came

The Universe is screaming – "it's time for you to change!"

See, jail has this way, it shows you what you are

Exposes your demons, your secrets, your scars.

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Only in the light can we begin to mend

All the trauma and pain that made our hearts bend.

For we are not broken, nor damaged beyond repair

We just lost our way; all we needed was for someone to care.

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It's easy to judge and to say nasty things

But little do we realise the destruction this brings.

It's hard for us all in here, don't ever forget that

Time to break the cycle, and stop coming back.

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Because jail isn't rock bottom, nor the end of the line

It's merely the Universe forcing you to take time.

Time to stop and rethink the choices you make

Show some humility, and get your head straight.

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Now that you've read all I have to say

Try to go on and change someone's day.

This place doesn't have to be all doom and gloom

Be kind to each other and watch us all bloom.