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


  • Jimmy Carter: US Most Warlike Nation in History
    Press TV
    Jimmy Carter: US Most Warlike Nation in History
    17 Apr 2019
    The former commander-in-chief says the US has been waging war since its formation. “China has not wasted a single penny on war.”
  • Investigation Nation: Mueller, Russiagate, and Fake Politics 
    Jim Kavanagh
    Investigation Nation: Mueller, Russiagate, and Fake Politics 
    17 Apr 2019
    Having finally imploded, Russiagate now morphs into its second life as a campaign issue for Donald Trump.
  • Phoenix in Knightsbridge: the Daylight Seizure of Assange
    T.P. Wilkinson
    Phoenix in Knightsbridge: the Daylight Seizure of Assange
    17 Apr 2019
    Unlike Edward Snowden, and more like Philip Agee, Assange rejected the premise that the State has any right to secrecy at all. 
  • Global NATO: A 70-Year Alliance of Oppressors in Crisis 
    Horace G. Campbell
    Global NATO: A 70-Year Alliance of Oppressors in Crisis 
    17 Apr 2019
    NATO is the main prop for global capital’s predations, and must be opposed by all who seek peace and social justice.
  • As Black Activists Protested Police Killings, Homeland Security Worried They Might Join ISIS
    Alice Speri 
    As Black Activists Protested Police Killings, Homeland Security Worried They Might Join ISIS
    17 Apr 2019
    Federal officials spread right-wing tales that Black protesters were susceptible to Islamic jihadist appeals.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us