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


  • More Than Meets the Silk Press: Kamala Harris and U.S. Imperialism
    Salifu Mack
    More Than Meets the Silk Press: Kamala Harris and U.S. Imperialism
    12 Jul 2023
    Kamala Harris can be the object of derision for her word salads and oddly nervous laughter. But she plays an important role in promoting US imperialism and the cynical politics of representation.
  • Journalists or Witch Hunters? Examining the New York Times’ Shameful Red Scare History
    Jasper Saah
    Journalists or Witch Hunters? Examining the New York Times’ Shameful Red Scare History
    12 Jul 2023
    Joseph McCarthy carried out his red scare with the help of establishment media like the New York Times. Its recent Sinophobic screeds follow the Biden administration narrative and are consistent with…
  • Black Agenda Radio July 7, 2023
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio July 7, 2023
    07 Jul 2023
    Glen Ford explained the end of affirmative action in 2013, CIA experiments on indigenous children and Black prisoners, and the Peoples' Senate builds its formation.
  • Glen Ford on the End of Affirmative Action
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Glen Ford on the End of Affirmative Action
    07 Jul 2023
    Black Agenda Report co-founder, the late Glen Ford, spoke to the Real News Network after another affirmative action ruling in 2013.
  • New Documents Link CIA to Medical Torture of Indigenous Children and Black Prisoners
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    New Documents Link CIA to Medical Torture of Indigenous Children and Black Prisoners
    07 Jul 2023
    Orisanmi Burton is an assistant professor at American University’s Department of Anthropology.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us