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


  • Nahel's France: Neo-Colonized and Pan-African Voices Speak Up
    Julia Wright
    Nahel's France: Neo-Colonized and Pan-African Voices Speak Up
    19 Jul 2023
    The police killing of Nahel M. in France cannot be properly analyzed outside of the context of French colonialism and neo-colonialism.
  • Eritrea: The Story You Don't Hear
    Eugene Puryear
    Eritrea: The Story You Don't Hear
    19 Jul 2023
    Eritrea is an African success story. The nation provides for its peoples needs despite the impact of sanctions imposed by the west which are meant to undermine its sovereignty.
  • Black Agenda Radio July 14, 2023
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio July 14, 2023
    14 Jul 2023
    In this week’s segment we will learn about Eritrea’s history of struggle against imperialist intervention, and how New York City policy harms the unhoused population. But first we hear about the…
  • Mutulu Shakur's Revolutionary Legacy
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Mutulu Shakur's Revolutionary Legacy
    14 Jul 2023
    Efia Nwangaza is a South Carolina based attorney.
  • Eritrea's Continuing Struggle Against U.S. Interference
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Eritrea's Continuing Struggle Against U.S. Interference
    14 Jul 2023
    Elias Amare is a journalist and editor at Horn of Africa TV.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us