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


  • United States’s Pursuit of Imperial Military Base in Northern Somalia Fuels Brutal War
    Jamal Abdulahi
    United States’s Pursuit of Imperial Military Base in Northern Somalia Fuels Brutal War
    08 Feb 2023
    The history of European colonialism and the endless U.S. desire for a military presence strengthen a Somalia secessionist movement and warfare that most people in that country do not…
  • BAP Haiti/Americas Team Opposes Apparent CELAC Support for Foreign Military Intervention Into Haiti
    Black Alliance for Peace Haiti/Americas Team
    BAP Haiti/Americas Team Opposes Apparent CELAC Support for Foreign Military Intervention Into Haiti
    08 Feb 2023
    Black Alliance for Peace's Haiti/Americas Team Opposes the Apparent Support of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for Foreign Military Intervention Into Haiti.
  • Below Zero in Haiti, 20 Years Into The Ottawa Initiative
    Jean St. Vil
    Below Zero in Haiti, 20 Years Into The Ottawa Initiative
    08 Feb 2023
    Canada is a US partner in crime in Haiti as it is in the rest of the world. Haiti cannot be a sovereign nation as long as Canada, the US and other CORE Group nations interfere in its affairs.
  • US Lawfare and the Destabilization of Latin America
    Brian Mier
    US Lawfare and the Destabilization of Latin America
    08 Feb 2023
    The US attacks other nations with bombs, coups, sanctions, and also by corrupting the law around the world.
  • Memphis Police Chief Trained with Israel Security Forces
    Alice Speri 
    Memphis Police Chief Trained with Israel Security Forces
    08 Feb 2023
    The chief of the Memphis, Tennessee police department took part in trainings in Israel. These exchanges with an apartheid state are a training ground for brutality.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us