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


  • The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Blows Back at Joe Biden
    Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley
    The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Blows Back at Joe Biden
    22 Apr 2022
    Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley discuss the ways that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has changed the political calculus.
  • Notes from Wartorn Ethiopia, Part II
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Notes from Wartorn Ethiopia, Part II
    20 Apr 2022
    BAR contributing editor Ann Garrison continues her reporting from Ethiopia.
  •  BAR Book Forum: Colin Kaepernick’s “I Color Myself Different”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Colin Kaepernick’s “I Color Myself Different”
    20 Apr 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book. This week’s featured author is Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is a professional NFL Super Bowl quarterback who fights…
  • The Ukraine Crisis Can't Save Biden
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    The Ukraine Crisis Can't Save Biden
    20 Apr 2022
    The U.S. propaganda victory over Russia will do Joe Biden and the democrats little good. Their willingness to act on their promises and meet the people's needs will be the deciding factors in…
  • Ukraine: A New Consensus on Whiteness?
    ​​​​​​​ Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor and columnist
    Ukraine: A New Consensus on Whiteness?
    20 Apr 2022
    The Biden administration and corporate media cover up the existence of white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Ukraine. They are disappeared from the official narrative in order to get public buy-in for…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us