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


  • Bruce Dixon: A Giant Walks On
    Ann Garrison , BAR contributor
    Bruce Dixon: A Giant Walks On
    10 Jul 2019
    Our beloved Managing Editor is a permanent presence in BAR and in the people’s struggle for social justice.
  • Farewell, Comrade Bruce
    Danny Haiphong , BAR contributor
    Farewell, Comrade Bruce
    10 Jul 2019
    Bruce Dixon was anti-empire, anti-capitalist, and a champion of working-class Black America and the people at large.
  • DSA “Socialism” Conference Features US-Funded Regime Change Activists
    Ben Norton and Max Blumenthal
    DSA “Socialism” Conference Features US-Funded Regime Change Activists
    10 Jul 2019
    The DSA Socialism Conference combines calls for radical economic transformation with demonization of governments targeted for regime change by the US.
  • Theft of a Continent -- America’s Real Original Sin
    Mark P. Fancher
    Theft of a Continent -- America’s Real Original Sin
    10 Jul 2019
    Before slavery there was the theft of territory from indigenous nations followed in short order by a campaign of genocide.
  • Letters from Our Readers 
    Jahan Chowdhry, BAR Comments Editor
    Letters from Our Readers 
    10 Jul 2019
    This week readers discussed the presidential primary, the rise of neoliberalism, and the passing of Bruce Dixon.  Your letters are printed for “
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us