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 Annual Resurrection of a Fake Dr. King and Re-entombment of the Black Liberation Movement
    Black Alliance For Peace
    The Annual Resurrection of a Fake Dr. King and Re-entombment of the Black Liberation Movement
    19 Jan 2022
    Black Alliance for Peace reminds us that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the product of a mass movement and at the time of his assassination was following the Black radical tradition.
  • Against the “Triple Evils”: The Biden Administration’s Affront to Dr. King’s Legacy
    Charisse Burden-Stelly, PhD
    Against the “Triple Evils”: The Biden Administration’s Affront to Dr. King’s Legacy
    19 Jan 2022
    Joe Biden and other politicians may evoke Dr. King's legacy but their actions are an affront.
  • Biden-Harris and the Never-Ending Commitment to War and Terror
    Salifu Mack , Erica Caines
    Biden-Harris and the Never-Ending Commitment to War and Terror
    19 Jan 2022
    Imperialism is the order of the day for Biden and Harris. There is no harm reduction for the U.S. or for people around the world.
  • Biden and His Promises, Promises. Why Did You Believe?
    Jacqueline Luqman
    Biden and His Promises, Promises. Why Did You Believe?
    19 Jan 2022
    Presidential candidate Joe Biden promised action on issues that had broad public support. But once in office he refused to do what the people wanted.
  • Environmental Racism Photo credit - Flickr ©Lorie Shaull
    Anthony Rogers-Wright
    For Black People, Ridin’ With Biden is a Health Hazard
    18 Jan 2022
    Like all of his predecessors, Joe Biden is in the pocket of fossil fuel corporations and other polluters. Environmental racism is a byproduct of this corruption.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us