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


  • BAR Book Forum: Eric A. Stanley’s “Atmospheres of Violence”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Eric A. Stanley’s “Atmospheres of Violence”
    22 Sep 2021
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book.
  • Schmo Munchkin v. Ida
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Schmo Munchkin v. Ida
    22 Sep 2021
    Schmo Munchkin v. Ida   Ida: Hello, Schmo… Munchkin: 
  • Biden’s DOJ Sleight of Hand on Police Reform
    Netfa Freeman
    Biden’s DOJ Sleight of Hand on Police Reform
    22 Sep 2021
    DOJ "reforms" are a smoke screen covering up systemic complicity with law enforcement.
  • The late Michael Ratner is still under attack due to his work on behalf of prisoners held at Guantanamo.
    Marjorie Cohn
    Samuel Moyn’s Unprincipled Attack on Human Rights Giant Michael Ratner is Shameful
    22 Sep 2021
    Michael Ratner and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) were intimately connected to the Black Liberation Movement representing a number of activists in the crosshairs of state repression
  • Photo: Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ABr – CC BY 3.0 br
    Nick Estes
    Indigenous People of Brazil Fight for Their Future
    22 Sep 2021
    Brazil's indigenous people struggle against an entrenched oligarchy determined to drive them from their lands and a right wing president who is supported by the U.S.  
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us