News and Media News stories National Poetry Day Prisoners around the world often tell us how much they like reading and seeing other prisoners' poems. We circulate these in our newsletter three times a year, and wanted to share a selection on National Poetry Day. Here are poems written by people we are supporting overseas. Have you ever? Have you ever felt the rain pouring down outside?Have you ever felt the rain pelting down deep inside?Have you ever felt the storm that rages in your heart?Have you ever felt the tears, warm and salty from your eyes? My heart is a raging storm, torn between love and hateTears of rage, tears of love, tears of confusionPain, disappointment, faith and broken dreamsSelf-destruction, afraid of failure, shattered self-esteem Innocence I was denied, taken from those trustedNow I live in solitary where prison I’ve been thrustedMy crime so abominable and now I can’t be trustedWords unspoken for many years unable to control my griefHave you ever felt the fire burning you inside?Have you ever felt the bitterness, ice cold but look ok outside? If you understand these words you may know where I’ve beenIf you understand the place I’ve been I know just how you feelIf you have a twisted heart I feel the pain with youIf you were denied your innocence, take pity I lost mine tooHave you ever felt the summer sun warming in the day?Have you now a family that help you win the day?Have you ever felt a love so fine it eases all the pain?Have you ever had two innocents you love so much it hurts?Now I have God’s perfect gift but guilty I surmiseI’ve hurt them all, denied them all and broken them insideIt’s them I should be crying for but my heart remains bustedI was taken to the house of horrors and my heart is still hauntedWill there ever be a time when those accused will face justice? Written by Leigh, Spain Friend This word is often uttered,But do people truly comprehendThe depth of which its existenceWhere love and hope commend.They will tell you when you’re wrongEven in moments where your emotionsRefuse to bend. I hope that one dayI can earn the honour of being called your Friend. Written by Reginald, USA Box window of prison livin’ Don’t just stare, look in this window of prisonThat could help delve into truths even greaterThan any from the law and order policy makersAs we inside try to contemplate why the community hate usHave politicians lying while they try and debate with no trustKeeping us trapped in concrete confined spacesLiving as sub-humans lower than second class statusTaking away all traces of frillLook out our box window at barbed wire and steelHow can they say there’s rehabilitation if the system keeps getting filledMixing with all kinds of races, always different facesLawyers making a living from never ending casesPush us through court so corrupt judges can berate usAll the evil empty stares that pierce straight throughCause stress and anxiety amongst more than a fewTime now for lockdown if only the outside knewThis is the part where our past comes to tauntCan’t close our eyes for all the horrors that hauntHear them keys in the morning BANG back to the startNow that’s what it’s like through this window of ours. Written by James, Australia My Tears they fall My tears they fallOn the bus in front of strangersWho turn away embarrassedPretending not to noticeThey roll down my face in the sunshineAnd mingle with the rainPouring from the skyOn a cloudy dayThey will not be restrainedContainedHeld backBecause You feelEmbarrassed and AshamedUnable to expressYour own Pain. Written by Veronica If you'd like to support British people in prison overseas, please do donate today. Manage Cookie Preferences