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


  • Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    “Reflections on Parenting and Revolutionary Struggle”: An Interview with Steven Salaita
    21 Aug 2024
    “Reflections on Parenting and Revolutionary Struggle” is a space for parent-organizers to share their experiences and struggles with parenting. In this piece, Roberto speaks to Steven Salaita.
  • Jon Jeter
    Screams Without Words: How the White Settler Weaponized Sexual Violence Against Men
    21 Aug 2024
    Settler colonial states always include sexual violence as a function of their domination over the colonized population. The genocide in Gaza by Israel and the sadism it inflicts on the Palestinian…
  • Ed Newman
    ALBA Movements: Neither Cohabitation nor Transition! Venezuela has Decided!
    21 Aug 2024
    Colombia and Brazil, once supportive of Venezuela's sovereignty and democratic process, have recently called for new elections and a cohabitation government.
  • Zophia Edwards
    Profits for Unilever, Pressure for the Trinidad and Tobago Worker
    21 Aug 2024
    The global south is bombarded with exploitative corporations that control the economic conditions of the countries in which they operate. Unilever is among them, one of the leading corporations…
  • Ahmed Abdeen
    Egypt agrees to Israeli Control of Gaza Border in Return for Rafah Reopening
    21 Aug 2024
    Cairo to allow Israel to keep soldiers in Philadelphi Corridor or build an underground barrier - but the border crossing must be operated by Palestinians.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us