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
šŸ–Øļø 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—

ā€˜Cause I wanna spread the news:

That if it trends this good gettin’ used

Come on, use me ā€˜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


  •  Blacks and the US: a History of Resistance
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
    Blacks and the US: a History of Resistance
    20 Apr 2021
    The United States has been in constant conflict with its Black population, which has been the greatest source of its wealth, said Dr.
  • Freedom Rider: Vaccine Passports in a Failed State
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR senior columnist
    Freedom Rider: Vaccine Passports in a Failed State
    15 Apr 2021
    The non-vaccinated can be smeared and equated with MAGA hat wearing Trumpers, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
  • Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    ƄEDITORIAL: Racism, Fascism, and Political Murder: Kathleen Cleaver, September 14, 1968
    15 Apr 2021
    Panthers and their radical Black contemporaries are now the stuff of Hollywood -- but with more leather jacket than political substance. The Review Team offers some historical correctives.
  • Fordham University Is One of Many Canaries in the Zionist Coal Mine
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Fordham University Is One of Many Canaries in the Zionist Coal Mine
    15 Apr 2021
    A Blacklist against those who oppose Israeli policies is now in effect at Fordham University, and can be expected to grow.
  • Reese Piece…
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Reese Piece…
    15 Apr 2021
    Salute to City of Angels’ son! He wrote, he wrote, he wrote And he wrote… Ramparts, The Progressive, The Nation, Mother Jones, Dateline Havana, 48 hills…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us