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

A Poet's Proposal for DT's Inauguration
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
10 Jan 2017
🖨️ Print Article

by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner

Word is that president-elect Donald Trump still has performance openings for next week's inaugural. In the selfless and noble spirit of public service, our poet kindly offers his own services, and anxiously awaits a response from Rump tower.

A Poet's Proposal for DT's Inauguration

by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner

Bet you wonderin’ how I knew

Few are willin’ to perform for you?

I heard it through the grapevine

Also on TV, radio and online…

I ain’t A-list—

F-list, maybe?

Not a seven-figga n**** or War House Hoet in the

Retinue the Drone Ranger plays like plastic kazoos—

Yet, I’m willing to serve, sir:

Call it Patriot Act III!

Willing to audition, practice, rehearse—gratis—

get on the back of a Greyhound bus, brown bag,

greasy fried chicken, like the good ol’ days…

Apply a plastic smile, applaud on cue, shuffle, shake hands with

Strong-arm Williams, Sheriff Stephen Judas Clarke, Thom-ass

Clarence, and other warlike Bassackwards Tribal leaders

I’m willing to get William Withers with you, sir:

It’s my appointed duty

To let you use me

Get me in a crowd of right-wing racists and act real rude to me—

‘Cause I wanna spread the news:

That if it trends this good gettin’ used

Come on, use me ‘til you use me up—

My fifteen-minutes of FLAME!!

Raymond Nat Turner is an acclaimed poet and performance artist. Find 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


  • ESSAY: Black Soldiers of Imperialism, George Padmore, 1931
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    ESSAY: Black Soldiers of Imperialism, George Padmore, 1931
    11 May 2022
    In 1931, George Padmore explained how African soldiers were mobilized for European wars.
  • The heart of Asmara and other Eritrean towns are their centrally located grain, vegetable, and fruit markets. Establishing national food security is the primary national development goal.
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Notes from Eritrea, Part II
    11 May 2022
    Contributing Editor Ann Garrison continues her reporting from the Horn of Africa.
  • Bye, Big Sis
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Bye, Big Sis
    11 May 2022
    Memories of the late Gael Davis, Los Angeles activist, organizer and actress.
  • Joe Biden and the Democrats Have Nothing to Offer Organized Labor, the ALU Included
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    Joe Biden and the Democrats Have Nothing to Offer Organized Labor, the ALU Included
    11 May 2022
    The Biden administration pays lip service to the trade union movement but has done nothing to break the Democratic Party’s long tradition of betraying workers. Joe Biden's photo op with Christian…
  • BAR Book Forum: Gao Yunxiang’s “Arise Africa! Roar China!”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Gao Yunxiang’s “Arise Africa! Roar China!”
    11 May 2022
    This week’s featured author is Gao Yunxiang. Gao Yunxiang is Professor of History at Ryerson University. Her book is Arise, Africa! Roar, China!: Black and Chinese Citizens of the World in the…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us