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


  • Jeremy Kuzmarov
    Renegade African-American Soldier Should Be Remembered For Resisting White Supremacy and Colonialism
    04 Mar 2026
    David Fagen's defection demonstrated the history of Black solidarity with oppressed people.
  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio February 27, 2026
    27 Feb 2026
    In this week’s segment, we discuss Trump administration proposals to disenfranchise voters and unconstitutionally give the federal government control over elections. But we begin with an analysis of…
  • Jacqueline Luqman
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution In the Aftermath of U.S. Aggression
    27 Feb 2026
    The Simon Bolivar Institute in Caracas, Venezuela, hosted a delegation from the International Brigade for Peace and Solidarity with Venezuela. We’re joined by one of those delegates, Jacqueline…
  • Black voters matter
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Voting Rights Threatened by SAVE Act and Federal Election Takeover Plot
    27 Feb 2026
    The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act was passed in the House of Representatives and would disenfranchise millions of people, as would Trump’s plan to unconstitutionally “nationalize”…
  • Black Alliance for Peace
    BAP Condemns Kidnapping and Torture of Kenyan Revolutionary Leader
    27 Feb 2026
    Kenya presents itself as a regional stable democracy. The torture and framing of the Marxist party leader belies this narrative.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us