In The Nude
by C. Alexandra Allen

C. Alexandra Allen delivers an impressive collection of poetry and prose that embraces readers from all walks of life. She writes with a brilliant fearlessness about politics, hip-hop, loss of innocence, spirituality, and matters of the heart. This introspective piece is about celebrating who you are. It is about learning life lessons. Moreover, at some moments, In the Nude is an ode to redemption.

Excerpt from In the Nude

Black Boys

Forever ain’t as long as it used to be
Seen too many mamas on church roll
On bloodied knees during alter calls praying for miracles
Screaming don’t put no white sheets over my baby please
Like the devil got hold of their soul
Foretelling the future of the XY chromosome with cries
Cuz son’s lives were stolen during papa’s erection
Prior to mama’s conception
Still streets fill with untrained brown soldiers marching across an urban landscape masquerading as civilians
Class third rate
Uniformed in bandanas
Building mafia style camps like Montana’s
The image of boys
Never men
As enforcers look for boys gone MIA using money and power as decoys
Carrying out an organized hit on black boys

Copyright © 2008 by C. Alexandra Allen