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


  • The American Left’s China Exception: The Case of Dave Zirin
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    The American Left’s China Exception: The Case of Dave Zirin
    23 Feb 2022
    Anti-China propaganda is often spread by those who call themselves leftists but who are in fact liberal imperialists.
  • H.R. 6600 Would Impose More Harsh and Illegal US Sanctions, this time on Ethiopia and Eritrea
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    H.R. 6600 Would Impose More Harsh and Illegal US Sanctions, this time on Ethiopia and Eritrea
    23 Feb 2022
    House Resolution 6600, the misnamed Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act, has moved from th
  • BAR Book Forum: Interview with Tyrone S. Palmer
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Interview with Tyrone S. Palmer
    23 Feb 2022
    As part of the Black Agenda Report Book Forum, we interview scholars about a recent article they’ve written for either an academic journal or popular publication.
  • The Hoosier State hero’s baaaaack—  saving Amerikkka from the woke left!
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    The Hoosier State hero’s baaaaack— saving Amerikkka from the woke left!
    23 Feb 2022
                                                           …
  • Hide Nothing From The Masses: An Insider Perspective in the Black Lives Matter Global Network Sham
    Yahne Ndgo
    Hide Nothing From The Masses: An Insider Perspective in the Black Lives Matter Global Network Sham
    23 Feb 2022
    Questions about finances at the Black Lives Matter Global Foundation made headlines, but political impropriety is at the heart of the matter.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us