Street Artists Souls CIC

Welcome to The Written Release, a space where words break free. This page is dedicated to showcasing poetry, prose, and creative writing that capture the journey of incarceration, redemption, and freedom. Writing has the power to transform, to heal, and to give voice to experiences that often go unheard. Here, we celebrate the art of expression from those inside and those who have walked the path of release.

Reflection & Redemption
Writings that explore self-discovery, lessons learned, and the power of transformation.

The Mirror Inside

I searched for answers in the cracks of the floor,
counted the days like tallies on a cold, grey door.
Time whispered slow, carved lines on my face,
but in the stillness, I found my place.

The bars didn’t move, but my mind broke free,
in words, in ink, in the rhythm of me.
A life once lost in echoes of sin,
rewrote itself from deep within.

Regret, a shadow, no longer my guide,
I face my own mirror, no need to hide.
I am not my past, I am not my crime,
I am the words, the lesson, the time.

MBM001

Freedom & Confinement A contrast between life behind bars and the emotions of release, told through vivid storytelling and verse.

The Door

They slammed it shut, cold steel on stone,
a number replaced the name I’d known.
The air stood still, the world moved on,
inside these walls, the nights were long.

I carved my thoughts on paper thin,
whispered my dreams to the void within.
Each step measured, each breath tight,
counting shadows in endless night.

Then one day, the lock gave way,
the world outside was bright, too bright.
But freedom is a door you walk through twice—
once in body, then in mind.

MBM001

Love & Connection Poetry and prose about relationships, family, and bonds that withstand time and distance. Letter-Style Poem – “Unsent”

Unsent

I wrote you letters I never sent,
folded words into paper fences,
afraid they’d break before they bent,
afraid I’d ask for second chances.

Your name still echoes in these halls,
the ghost of love that time misplaced.
The years, like ink, have blurred it all,
but some things never are erased.

If I could write just one more page,
I’d say I’ve changed—perhaps you knew.
But words can’t bridge a world away,
so I send my love to you.

MBM002

Resilience & Hope Words that inspire, motivate, and showcase the strength found in adversity

Short Story – “The Second Sunrise”

I woke up before the sun,
before the world stretched its limbs.
The air outside held something new—
not freedom, but the scent of it.

I had nothing but a name,
a bag, and a mind rebuilt brick by brick.
Not clean. Not perfect. But mine.

The bus driver didn’t ask my story.
The woman at the café didn’t know my past.
The man in the mirror—
he was the only one left to convince.

Today, I wake up again.

The second sunrise always shines brighter.

MBM003

The Written Release – Street Reflections & Society

Reflections on life beyond prison, the challenges of reintegration, and the artistic voices that shape our communities.

This space is home to uncensored, unfiltered expression — where truth, struggle, and hope find their voice.

Share Your Voice

Are you a poet, writer, or someone with a story to tell?

The Written Release is your platform. Whether you're inside, recently released, or carrying the weight of a past that still speaks — this page is for you.

If you’d like to contribute:

Request a Contributor Code to protect your identity while making your voice heard.
Submit poems, short stories, reflections, or artwork based on your life experience.
Add a short note with your piece (optional) to give context or dedicate it to someone.

This is a living page — new voices are added regularly. Check back often for raw, real, and inspiring pieces from across the UK and beyond.

Let the words flow. Let the stories be heard. Request a Contributor Code

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