Nadia Clark
US ARMY
Nadia is a writer, speaker, and former Oakland police officer whose work explores resilience, justice, and the quiet moments that shape a life. After a decade on the force, she turned to storytelling to process the realities of street life and the hidden struggles she witnessed. Nadia now leads training and mentorship programs in the merchant-services industry while crafting children’s books, motivational talks, and narrative nonfiction. Her writing blends raw experience with faith and hope, inviting readers to confront hard truths and discover unexpected grace
12
12 is a familiar term when it comes to police
You got the cat call of the streets
12!
Hitting the block - four wheels locked in!
Apex that corner!
Ride it smooth
They’ll never see you comin…
Better to be buried by 12, than carried by 6, a code executed call to call
Split decisions and such…
Well
One night I encountered another meaning of the number 12.
Twas the hour
Time to head in for the night
Don’t go down the major thoroughfares!
It’s a trap
That 10hr will turn into 20 real quick
I look to my right
Same ole same old
The drunk, the addict, the pimp
I look to my left
The bus stop
All the hoes be there
Empty
Shit was brighter than usual
Why can’t I stop staring?
It’s always so full
So many ladies of the night,
But this night
Just one
Heart dropped into my womb
Queezy
I can't take my eyes off her
I hit the U
Turn onto the block
I walk out
Frozen
I can see each breath
Our eyes meet
Why does she look so young?
Doused in makeup.
Why does she smell so bad?
Ripe
The closer I get
The younger she gets
I fixed my lips to utter
How old are you?
12
My heart stands still
When was the last time you bathed?
Two weeks ago
The stench of the night and varying bodies seep through her pores
I wonder how many tours
Where you come from?
I was in a group home, I got snatched
I choke back my disgust
My rage, My tears, Let’s go
You hungry
Yes
Of course
Let’s go
We cruise through the drive through
24/7
Collect a few favorites
We go downtown
Cold metal elevators encase us
We reach our destination
Youth services
Report: 12 year girl on the stroll
kidnapped from her group home
hasn’t bathed in two weeks
She's sitting quietly
Chicken nuggets, cheeseburger and fries
Her face
Damn her face
A child has been returned?
Doubt it
What do I do with this?
What do I make of this?
Why?
This!
I never get any closure
I never hear anything about her life
I think about her till this day
Almost 20 years have passed
I wonder where she is today
I know only God knows
I line up 12
Another after another
I sip to her years
I sip to choke back my tears
Sweet Pea,
I pray your 12 year old heart found peace
I hope He hears your prayers
I pray you
I ran out of words of say
I feel the tears welding in my eyes
Lord
Have mercy on her soul
The significance of 12
Magnificent is the day
We meet