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


  • Sudanese Protest Military Take Over of Civilian Government
    Peoples Dispatch
    Sudan’s Anti-Coup Protesters Reject Agreement to Reinstate Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok
    23 Nov 2021
    The people of Sudan reject the military's attempt to give legitimacy to the coup waged against the civilian government.
  • Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, in which exceptionalism and selective amnesia are celebrated. The sick fairy tale obscures the violent, white supremacist foundations of this country.
    Mark P. Fancher
    Indigenous Peoples’ Land - Stolen Fair and Square
    23 Nov 2021
    Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, in which exceptionalism and selective amnesia are celebrated.
  • Nicaragua Explains Why It’s Leaving OAS, Responds to US Attacks on Its Elections
    Ben Norton
    Nicaragua Explains Why It’s Leaving OAS, Responds to US Attacks on Its Elections
    23 Nov 2021
    The Nicaraguan people are fighting to preserve their rights to democracy and self-determination in the face of U.S. aggression.
  • Organizing Against Racism and Class Oppression
    Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley
    Organizing Against Racism and Class Oppression
    17 Nov 2021
    Core organizer for Freedom Fighters DC Afeni joins Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley to discuss her activism and views on the current political situation in the United States.
  • COP26 climate meeting
    The Editors
    COP26: Black Agenda Report Special Issue
    17 Nov 2021
    Black Agenda Report is giving special attention to the recent COP26 climate summit.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us