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


  • The Expanded Moms4Housing Bill Could Change the Whole Game
    Broke-ass Stuart
    The Expanded Moms4Housing Bill Could Change the Whole Game
    26 Feb 2020
    Although the moms were evicted, their example inspired ground-breaking housing legislation for Oakland, California. 
  • From Peoples to Bynum: A Brief History of Jackson State's Leadership Struggle
    C. Liegh McInnis
    From Peoples to Bynum: A Brief History of Jackson State's Leadership Struggle
    26 Feb 2020
    Mississippi’s ability to sabotage Black public higher education is enhanced by the state’s power to choose compliant Negroes as administrators. 
  • Black Agenda Radio for Week of February 24, 2020
    Black Agenda Radio with Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
    Black Agenda Radio for Week of February 24, 2020
    25 Feb 2020
    Black Oppression is Environmental Injustice
  • Black Agenda Radio for Week of February 24, 2020
    Black Agenda Radio with Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
    Black Agenda Radio for Week of February 24, 2020
    25 Feb 2020
    Black Oppression is Environmental Injustice
  • Mumia Speaks on the Cops Today’s and Deadly Economy
    Black Agenda Radio with Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
    Mumia Speaks on the Cops and Today’s Deadly Economy
    25 Feb 2020
    The nation’s best known political prisoner sees parallels between the plight of today’s low wage workers and conditions during the Great Depression, when workers were brutalized for seeking unioniz
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us