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

if it takes 100 years
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
06 Dec 2017
🖨️ Print Article
if it takes 100 years

I am the North Star—
Hope; Never wavering, organizing,
burning thorough bars, walls, wire—
I am consciousness of all
creatures, crystalline water,
clean, sweet air, black soil
From forgotten reservations

I am non-GMO, organic apples,
pears, lettuce, tomatoes, spinach
Springing from beads of sweat
mixed with midnight oil—
I am not the latest sneakers, phones
from Black Friday Madness,
Celebrity Worship or
Dumbed-down gossip ‘bout ‘stars’

I am coagulated blood
of gunned down doctors wafting from
Women’s reproductive rights—
Flowering from fertilizer of guilt
I am freedom, loving
Whomever I choose…

I am single-payer
Healthcare rising from Big Pharma
body-slams/lies of lobotomized politicians;
I am affordable housing
clubbed from corrugated cardboard sleep;
I am free education—
Peace studies writhing free of
handcuffs, cutting off circulation…
I am smoldering ashes of a
burned down Black Baptist Church
Repudiating ‘race’ with pain

I am revolution—
Socialism passing freely, back and forth
between metal detectors/bomb-sniffing dogs—
Arriving just moments ago:
…Having been here forever…

Raymond Nat Turner © 2017 All Rights Reserved
Raymond Nat Turner is an acclaimed poet and performing artist. Find much more of his work at http"//upsurgejazz.com.

poetry

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


More Stories


  • Kodjovi Kpachavi
    Unwavering Wayiyans: A Bulletin on the Confederation of Sahel States
    19 Mar 2025
    The AES represents a significant shift away from neo-colonial influence, with its governments prioritizing economic development, agricultural self-sufficiency, women’s empowerment, and security. The…
  • Caribbean Network for Solidarity with Cuba
    The Entire Caribbean Rejects Rubio’s Attack!
    19 Mar 2025
    In the latest escalation of the blockade on Cuba, Marco Rubio announced an attack on Cuba's medical missions and, by extension, the healthcare of the entire region.
  • Iain Carlos , Sam Carlen
    DOJ Knew About - and Used - Notorious Homan Square "Black Site"
    19 Mar 2025
    It wasn't just Chicago Police operating Homan Square, the U.S. Department of Justice was equally involved in the workings of the "black site."
  • Janvieve Williams Comrie
    Panama's Shift Toward Militarization Raises Sovereignty Concerns Amid U.S. Influence
    19 Mar 2025
    Panama's increasingly deepening military ties with the U.S. challenge the nation's constitutionally mandated demilitarization.
  • Young child in Gaza
    Nora Barrows-Friedman
    Israel is Still Killing Three People Per Day in Gaza
    19 Mar 2025
    Israel has violated its ceasefire agreement with Hamas. But Israel never truly adhered to it, instead choosing to continue its genocidal policies.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us