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


  • DOCUMENT: Internal Security Act of 1950
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    DOCUMENT: Internal Security Act of 1950
    01 Jul 2021
    The terms of the McCarran Act strategy offer a wide catchment that has the potential to ensnare any progressive or radical movement.
  • Cover-up of a Cover-up: US Media Ignore OPCW Fraud to Justify Missile Strikes on S
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Cover-up of a Cover-up: US Media Ignore OPCW Fraud to Justify Missile Strikes on Syria
    01 Jul 2021
    Aaron Maté tells Ann Garrison that US media helps the OPCW cover up its cover-up for the US, UK, and France.
  • Twerkers of the World you might…(Or when they go low we get high?)
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Twerkers of the World you might…(Or when they go low we get high?)
    01 Jul 2021
    “History repeats itself,  first as tragedy, second as farce.” —Karl Marx
  • Western powers only seek to curtail the right of self-determination for the Horn of Africa and Global South states.
    BAP and HOA PALS
    Western Powers Only Seek to Curtail the Right of Self-Determination for the Horn of Africa and Global South States.
    01 Jul 2021
    Western powers only seek to curtail the right of self-determination for the Horn of Africa and Global South states.
  • The Thin Blue Lies Behind Crime Wave Hype
    Josmar Trujillo
    The Thin Blue Lies Behind Crime Wave Hype
    01 Jul 2021
    Data fail to show that bail restrictions or any other reform fueled the spike in violence during the pandemic – but facts don’t matter to the corporate press
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us