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

The Peoples’ Pips: Leaving on that Midnight Train to GA…
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
18 Aug 2021
🖨️ Print Article
The Peoples’ Pips: Leaving on that Midnight Train to GA…
The Peoples’ Pips: Leaving on that Midnight Train to GA…

BAR's poet in residence composes a lyrical and musical tribute to Glen Ford.

…He’s leaving 

(Leaving)

On that Midnight Train To Georgia 

(Leaving on the Midnight Train)

 

Earned a one way ticket back to soil

he blossomed beautifully from—lightly

bound, tightly wound contradictions:

Fair fella, yellowish ‘good hair’ hue/Blue-

black-black to the 37th power woke-ness;

Black-black, double black/Fire engine red 

internationalist aura and practice;

Smallish cat/Big, burnished baritone sound;

Panther prowl/Wehrmacht story pains presaging

plain pen to ordinary yellow legal-size pad—

Launching laser-surgical speeches and pieces…

His work/Their work/Our work/ All aboard

(on the Midnight Train…)

 

…He’s leaving 

(Leaving)

On that Midnight Train To Georgia 

(Leaving on the Midnight Train)

 

Traveling twisting tracks, traveling

long winding roads—blessed Odyssey—

esteemed elder to revered

Ancestor…

And Ancestors, we all know, are always 

waiting in the wings. Always just that

“Who?” “What?” “Why?” “Where?” “When?” 

question away…soothing our inflamed hearts—

Our deep fried minds… 

 

What would he/she say? When would they tell

heroes in embryo—The People—unvarnished 

Truth?

His work/Their work/Our work/ All aboard

(on the Midnight Train…)

 

© 2021. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.

Raymond Nat Turner is an accomplished poet and performing artist, and an official of the National Writers Union. Find more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.

Glen Ford

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


Related Stories

Editors, The Black Agenda Review
ESSAY: Black Organizations and White Money, Glen Ford, 1975
04 November 2026
“It is clear that the availability of white money caused Black organizations to restructure themselves into fund-raising agencies.”
Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
Twenty Years of Black Agenda Report
28 October 2026
Reaching a 20th anniversary for Black Agenda Report is indeed a milestone.
A Tribute to Glen Ford
The Editors
A Tribute to Glen Ford
02 August 2023
"What would Glen Ford say?" That question is one which we often ask ourselves two years after his passing. Glen was extremely prescient,
Glen Ford's Irreplaceable Journalism
Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
Glen Ford's Irreplaceable Journalism
27 July 2022
I was very proud to write the preface to Glen Ford's book, The Black
Introduction to Glen Ford's "The Black Agenda"
Glen Ford , BAR executive editor
Introduction to Glen Ford's "The Black Agenda"
27 July 2022
The compilation of Glen Ford's work, "The Black Agenda" was publ
GLEN FORD: Black Lives Matter Founder Launches Huge Project to Shrink Black Lives, 2019
Editors, The Black Agenda Review
GLEN FORD: Black Lives Matter Founder Launches Huge Project to Shrink Black Lives, 2019
13 April 2022
Glen Ford reminded us that Black liberation cannot be found over a cheese plate and mimosas in a $6 million southern California mansion.
Legacy of a Black Revolutionary:  Black Agenda Report (BAR)
Mary Uyematsu Kao
Legacy of a Black Revolutionary: Black Agenda Report (BAR)
26 January 2022
Glen Ford's legacy is recognized all over the nation. Japanese- American newspaper Rafu Shimpo printed this tribute to his work. 
Glen Ford's Journalism Fought for Black Liberation and Against Imperialism
Margaret Kimberley, BAR senior columnist
Glen Ford's Journalism Fought for Black Liberation and Against Imperialism
04 August 2021
Ford was among the few journalists who took a stance for Black liberation and against imperialism.
Nia Ford
Power to the people!
04 August 2021
Glen Ford’s daughter explains his lifelong commitment to Black people.
Mark P. Fancher
Were Glen Ford and T. Thomas Fortune the Same Brother?
04 August 2021
Glen Ford followed in the footsteps of another legendary Black journalist.

More Stories


  • Countering the FBI’s “Black Identity Extremist” Offensive – Part Two
    Black Agenda Radio with Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
    Countering the FBI’s “Black Identity Extremist” Offensive – Part Two
    03 Jun 2019
    The Black Identity Extremist Abolition Collective. In Part Two: King Downing, Johanna Fernandez and Mumia Abu Jamal.
  • Countering the FBI’s “Black Identity Extremist” Offensive – Part One
    Black Agenda Radio with Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
    Countering the FBI’s “Black Identity Extremist” Offensive – Part One
    03 Jun 2019
    The Black Identity Extremist Abolition Collective. In Part One: Ajamu Sankofa, Myaisha Hayes and Aya Saed.
  • We Can't Have A Party of Our Own Because Poor People Can't Be Trusted?
    Bruce A. Dixon , BAR managing editor
    We Can't Have A Party of Our Own Because Poor People Can't Be Trusted?
    01 Jun 2019
    We can’t afford a new party. More specifically poor people cannot have a new party.
  • The Serena Shim Award For Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism
    The Editors
    Black Agenda Report is a Proud Recipient of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromising Integrity in Journalism
    30 May 2019
    Journalism is a dangerous business.
  • Half of Black Caucus Signs on to Israeli Stance on Syria, in Defiance of Black Public Opinion
    Glen Ford , BAR executive editor
    Half of Black Caucus Signs on to Israeli Stance on Syria, in Defiance of Black Public Opinion
    30 May 2019
    The Congressional Black Caucus sides with its party’s war mongers and in fear of the Israel lobby, while large Black majorities believe Israel is neither an ally nor a friend.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us