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


  • Freedom Rider: Left Out of the Debate
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR senior columnist
    Freedom Rider: Left Out of the Debate
    14 Oct 2020
    If the needs of the people aren’t being addressed, what is the purpose of putting Biden and Harris into office?
  • The United States is a Sick Society That Produced Two Sick Options for President
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    The United States is a Sick Society That Produced Two Sick Options for President
    14 Oct 2020
    The US dictatorship of capital provides the people with a non-choice between two vile and racist presidential candidates.
  • Freeing “Hotel Rwanda” Hero Paul Rusesabagina
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Freeing “Hotel Rwanda” Hero Paul Rusesabagina
    14 Oct 2020
    The man portrayed by Don Cheadle in the movie about mass slaughter in Rwanda was kidnapped and jailed by the country’s dictator, writes Ann Garrison.
  • …Freakish flight of the fearless Fly…
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    …Freakish flight of the fearless Fly…
    14 Oct 2020
    There sat the morally constipated politician fartin’ ‘round with truth like an amateur magician… Locked, loaded, flinging fecal matter at a class mate…
  • Getting to Freedom City
    Robin D.G. Kelly
    Getting to Freedom City
    14 Oct 2020
    In the 1960s LA communities of color prioritized a radical tradition of care and the transformative power of art and politics.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us