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 PAIGC’s Political Education for Liberation in Guinea-Bissau, 1963–74 (Part 2)
    The Tricontinental
    The PAIGC’s Political Education for Liberation in Guinea-Bissau, 1963–74 (Part 2)
    03 Aug 2022
    Liberation struggles are not fought only on the battlefield. The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) left a legacy of educational decolonization.
  • Polls Show Almost No One Trusts US Media, After Decades of War Propaganda and Lies
    Benjamin Norton
    Polls Show Almost No One Trusts US Media, After Decades of War Propaganda and Lies
    03 Aug 2022
  • Biden Could Cancel Your Loan If He Wasn’t Busy Arming Cops and Ukraine
    Jacqueline Luqman
    Biden Could Cancel Your Loan If He Wasn’t Busy Arming Cops and Ukraine
    03 Aug 2022
  • Black Agenda Radio July 29, 2022
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio July 29, 2022
    29 Jul 2022
    Glen Ford debating Michael Eric Dyson on Democracy Now in 2008, the abuses of the child welfare system in North Carolina, and residents of the University City Town Homes in Philadelphia face mass…
  • Glen Ford and Michael Eric Dyson 2008 Debate on Democracy Now
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Glen Ford and Michael Eric Dyson 2008 Debate on Democracy Now
    29 Jul 2022
    On January 9, 2008 Glen Ford debated Michael Eric Dyson on the program Democracy Now. The topic of discussion was Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us