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


  • Letters from Our Readers 
    Jahan Chowdhry, BAR Comments Editor
    Letters from Our Readers 
    19 Jun 2019
    This week we discuss the internal colony theory, Hollywood’s portrayal of the Central Park Five, and continue the discussion on the future of Black Lives Matter. We share letters about “
  • BAR Book Forum: Max Felker-Kantor’s “Policing Los Angeles”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Max Felker-Kantor’s “Policing Los Angeles”
    19 Jun 2019
    Liberal reforms continue to fail to make the police more accountable. “LAPD officials helped create the ‘wars’ it fought to assert their authority.”
  • BAR Book Forum: Nemata Blyden’s “African Americans and Africa”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Nemata Blyden’s “African Americans and Africa”
    19 Jun 2019
    People of African descent, no matter where they come from, face challenges in the American racial hierarchy.
  • Philadelphia to Celebrate Mahatma Gandhi and the Black Freedom Movement
    Jahan Choudhry
    Philadelphia to Celebrate Mahatma Gandhi and the Black Freedom Movement
    19 Jun 2019
    The Indian freedom struggle inspired liberation struggles in Africa and Afro-America.
  • Will New Black-Jewish Caucus in Congress Advocate for Israel?
    Josh Ruebner
    Will New Black-Jewish Caucus in Congress Advocate for Israel?
    19 Jun 2019
    Congressman John Lewis has joined a new caucus that will likely rally other Black lawmakers in defense of the apartheid state.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us