This section publishes creative contributions mostly from currently and formerly incarcerated people. It includes short-stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, and much more.
If you have something creative to submit to us, we would love to read it, or see it, and publish it in About Time – please write to us!
This painting was inspired by a photo that I found in the National Geographic of January 2011 taken by Robin Hammond. It’s a gold miner in the border province of Manica.
Now sit in cell of nought to read, the glasses gone! Of what I need! I ask the system, to provide, for that, my sight be magnified.
I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children, and that’s just the start. I’m more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold, the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
Being in jail has given me time to think, as I lay in my bed and slowly sink.
My little boy has grown so strong, I can’t believe its been this long, since he raised his tiny head, and gazed at me in the hospital bed.
Brain tumour, brain tumour, a darkness you can’t see, oh how I hate you, you took my brother away from me.
Rob (my cellie) and I were about to go to sleep one miserable cold night, and a mouse (Jesus DMC) died and went up to the pearly gates and knocked.
In every ripple, her essence I find, a memory cherished, sweetly entwined. Her smile, a memory, forever aglow, like creeks that swell, and never forego.
There's demons in my mind, I'm struggling to think. Life's leaving me behind, as deeper, I sink.
If you turn to drugs instead, to silence the villains in your head. Or to minimise the self harm to your arm, without causing alarm.
Home sounds so sweet to the heart, if only shown from the very start. I only wish for my hands to be freed, don’t beat me up about my past. Coz I truly am a good seed.
Doing time together, under lock and key, but helping others can set your mind free.
The same as I was, just in a different lane, because the monster in me I can now tame.
When you feel broken and can’t remember who you used to be, please know that person is still inside of you, waiting to be acknowledged and validated. Find a calm place, go inside of your soul. That is where the goodness lies.
I stand at my door and watch the birds, as they spread their wings and fly. Oh how wonderful my life would be, if I could fly so high.
What filled my days before, I do not know. I have so much love within me, from inside my heart I glow.
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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.
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