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

“No Matter What Sign You Are,”4th Supreme
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
16 Jan 2019
🖨️ Print Article
the supremes
The Supremes

Mary was mysterious,
but the best dancer
Diana, the magnetic,
cooing romancer—
But, here’s a secret I know:
cats like me dug Miss Flo—
And the 4th Supreme’s ‘fro!

The 4th Supreme came
Singing tones ‘tween
Douglass and Carmen McRae—
Malcolm X and Lady Day

The 4th Supreme came
Singing “Stop In The Name Of Love!”
by way of Brandeis/Bombing-ham—
hitting Dynamite Hill high notes

The 4th Supreme came
Singing “Reflections”
in silver bracelets, on a
Newsweek cover captioned:
“Red, Black and Wanted!”

Hoover hated her harmonies with millions…
But I heard, “Set me free, why don’t you, babe?”
Rocking me to “ …Try Something New:”
Dialectics…

 

The 4th Supreme came
Singing, “I Hear A Symphony—”
“No Matter What Sign You Are,”
in ’08—but I
forgive her and comrades
and friends for singing flat
Madison Avenue smash hits: “Yes,
we can and bottle Jim Jones Juice;”
“regime Change you can believe in—”
delivering “Nothing But Heartaches” to
Honduras, Libya, Syria, Mother Africa…

© 2018. Raymond Nat Turner, The Town Crier. All Rights Reserved.
Raymond Nat Turner, our poet in residence, is an accomplished performing artist. You can 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


  • When America No Longer Exports Carnage As A Business Model, Maybe We'll Stop Seeing It In The Streets Here
    Jacqueline Luqman
    When America No Longer Exports Carnage As A Business Model, Maybe We'll Stop Seeing It In The Streets Here
    08 Jun 2022
    The tears, prayers, and thoughts regarding mass shootings are sincerely expressed by most people. But hypocrisy and cynicism loom very large for Joe Biden and congress. They want us to believe…
  • A Recap of My Trip to Cali and Buenaventura, Colombia
    Charisse Burden-Stelly, PhD
    A Recap of My Trip to Cali and Buenaventura, Colombia
    08 Jun 2022
    The author recounts her experiences as a member of an election delegation in Colombia which also made connections with African descended communities.
  • Haiti and the Americas Syllabus
    Haiti/Americas Committee Black Alliance For Peace
    Haiti and the Americas Syllabus
    08 Jun 2022
    The Black Alliance for Peace Haiti-Americas Team Syllabus is a vital source of information and political education with articles, media resources, and statements which support BAP's mission "to…
  • Colombia: World Power of Life or Neo-Fascist Pillar?
    Agustín Laó-Montes
    Colombia: World Power of Life or Neo-Fascist Pillar?
    08 Jun 2022
    The leftist Historical Pact emerged as the favorite of Colombian voters in the recent election. But rightist forces are working to prevent Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez from winning in the …
  • Hubert Henry Harrison - Tribune of the People
    Sean I. Ahern
    Hubert Henry Harrison - Tribune of the People
    08 Jun 2022
    Hubert Henry Harrison was one of the foremost Black socialist and nationalist thinkers of the early 20th century. He was known as "the father of Harlem radicalism." This is the first of a three-part…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us