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


  • Top Trump Official Asks Feds to Charge Protesters with Sedition 
    Peoples Dispatch Staff
    Top Trump Official Asks Feds to Charge Protesters with Sedition 
    23 Sep 2020
    The rarely used statute could put protesters accused of using violence in prison for up to 20 years.
  • The Difference Between the US and China’s Response to COVID-19 is Staggering
    Vijay Prashad and John Ross
    The Difference Between the US and China’s Response to COVID-19 is Staggering
    23 Sep 2020
    While the US continues to suffer the devastating impacts of poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s people-centered approach serves as a model to follow.
  • ​​​​​​​Make Corporate Landlords Pay the Bills During the Pandemic
    Sofia Lopez and Sara Myklebust
    ​​​​​​​Make Corporate Landlords Pay the Bills During the Pandemic
    23 Sep 2020
    Elected officials and corporate landlords haven’t taken any meaningful action to prevent the crisis from hitting poor people of color hardest.
  • Black Agenda Radio for Week of September 21, 2020
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
    Black Agenda Radio for Week of September 21, 2020
    21 Sep 2020
    Reparations and Anti-Police Torture Demands Produced Results in Chicago
  • Black Agenda Radio for Week of September 21, 2020
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
    Black Agenda Radio for Week of September 21, 2020
    21 Sep 2020
    Reparations and Anti-Police Torture Demands Produced Results in Chicago
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us