Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Don't Play that Song
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
12 Sep 2018
🖨️ Print Article
this is what we do overseas
Don't Play that Song....

Don’t Sing That Song ‘bout

Bombs bursting in air,

Rocket’s red glare

Gave proof through the bus

40 children were dead.

Don’t Sing That Song

that “supports the troops”

Kicking in doors at 4AM;

Urinating on bodies

of Afghan fighters;

Defecating on

the Koran; Cutting

off ears and fingers—

Sporting them like

macabre trophies…

Don’t Sing That Song of

twilight’s last gleaming;

and perilous flight of

Hellfire Missiles from

Predator Drones—

white boy toys draining

treasure and blood:

Bankrupting us morally

Don’t Sing That Song—

‘bout a warfare state

with money for missiles,

Leaden water; collapsing

bridges; broken down

trains; Tent Cities and

citizens curled up on

cardboard—chanting,

“Spare change—

you can believe in?”

Don’t Sing That Song—

that slave masterpiece—

‘bout broad stripes on

brown backs; bright stars

in scrambled brains—Home

of the brave—gunning

down Black men in the streets

Don’t Sing That Song

Giving comfort to

War House Hitler-lovers

on Capitalist Hill,

White Supreme Court, slave

master statues, and military bases

named for confederate traitors

Don’t Sing That Song

Marvin prosecuted

for its soullessness—

Rene Marie face-

lifted with Every Voice—

as Nobel Drone Ranger

rammed her under the

bus with his Peace Prize—

Don’t Sing That Song

Jimi’s guitar tried

for war crimes at Woodstock!

Our poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner is an accomplished performing artist. Find much more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

© 2018. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Black Agenda Radio October 14, 2022
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio October 14, 2022
    14 Oct 2022
    "Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women's Political Writings", NYPD conceals evidence in the killing of Rameek Smith, and the Black is Back Coalition for Peace, Justice and Reparations says, "…
  • Charisse Burden-Stelly "Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women's Political Writings"
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley , Charisse Burden-Stelly, PhD
    Charisse Burden-Stelly "Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women's Political Writings"
    14 Oct 2022
    Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly is an Associate Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University. She is co-editor of the recently published book, Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist…
  • NYPD Conceals Information in the Death of Rameek Smith
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    NYPD Conceals Information in the Death of Rameek Smith
    14 Oct 2022
    We discuss the May 10, 2022 NYPD killing of Rameek Smith, the effort to hide the incomplete body camera footage, and the continued demand for justice. QB of Bronxites for Why Accountability joins us…
  • Black is Back Coalition Says Hands Off the African Liberation Movement
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black is Back Coalition Says Hands Off the African Liberation Movement
    14 Oct 2022
    The Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace, and Reparations has joined the call for anti-war actions taking place from October 15th to October 22nd. Lisa Davis joins us from New Jersey to…
  • Haiti Special Issue
    The Editors
    Haiti Special Issue
    12 Oct 2022
    Black Agenda Report focuses on Haiti in this week's issue.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us