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

For Fancy Miss Nancy
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
19 Dec 2018
🖨️ Print Article
Nancy Sue Wilson 1937-2018
Nancy Sue Wilson 1937-2018

Guess who I saw
today, black and white photo,
Marching, Montgomery from
Selma, ‘65?

Guess who I saw
at my high school swingin’ the
Trio; urging us to stay in school?

Guess who I,
was privileged to sequence
a later CD for, late one night?

…and you don’t know, you don’t know how
Glad I am that she
put the purr in whisper, with a sultry
Sound that could make subpoenas seem sensuous

…and you don’t know, you don’t know how
Glad I am that she
Appeared, sparkling, at the end of the
golden era—looking as good as she sounded—
Her face should grace
Buckeye State flags emblazoned
“There will never be another you…”

…and you don’t know, you don’t know how
Glad I am that she
Hovered earth— stunning hummingbird,
gorgeous humanitarian, giving the greatest
performance of her life, moments I loitered—
not seizing the time and asking, “When did
You leave heaven?”
Though, I think it was maybe ’37? I know she’s

Free Again…

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

Raymond Nat Turner is an acclaimed poet and performing artist. You can find much more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

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


More Stories


  • BAR Book Forum: Paul Ortiz’s “An African American and Latinx History of the United States”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Paul Ortiz’s “An African American and Latinx History of the United States”
    04 Sep 2019
    The United States is based on a system of racial capitalism that endures to this day. 
  • BAR Book Forum: Tiffany King’s “The Black Shoals”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Tiffany King’s “The Black Shoals”
    04 Sep 2019
    Black abolition and Native decolonization have the unique capacity to end the “conquistador settler U.S. nation” and make way for something else.
  • Anthem 4 Rappers Wrapped in The Flag
    by Louis Jefferson
    Anthem 4 Rappers Wrapped in The Flag
    04 Sep 2019
    Oh Jay Can U C By the dawn of Imperialist greed They will eat u 2 After they fatten u up to deceive U took the bait  So they call u great
  • The Black Misleadership Class Shuffles Along and Rides Again
    Anonymous
    The Black Misleadership Class Shuffles Along and Rides Again
    04 Sep 2019
    The president of predominantly Black Hampton University debased himself by speaking at Liberty University, founded by the Christian racist Jerry Falwell.
  • Jussie Smollett, the Chicago Police Department, and the Appearing/Disappearing Video Footage Trick
    Chelli Stanley
    Jussie Smollett, the Chicago Police Department, and the Appearing/Disappearing Video Footage Trick
    04 Sep 2019
    The cops “investigating” the Smollett case have long records of racist brutality, evidence tampering and lying – facts the corporate media ignored.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us