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Best Poems Written by Carolyn Crawford

Below are the all-time best Carolyn Crawford poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Lawd, Ah'M Too Tired To Shout

by Carolyn V. Crawford AKA Rachel Dunkerque

Evalina, Evalina,
Won't you come on and shout!
You didn't come up to Heaven
To sit down and pout.

AH KIN POUT EF AH WANNA, LAWD
AH'M TOO TIRED TO SHOUT.
BEEN A LONG TIME GITTIN' HEANH
AH'M JES TOO TIRED TO SHOUT.

But you ought to want to shout
Since it took you so long
Don't you feel like shouting
With this heavenly throng?

'SIDE FROM MY OLD BODY BEIN' SO ACHY AND TIRED
AH'M GITTIN' TIRED O' YOU NAGGIN' ME TO SHOUT, SHOUT, SHOUT!
YOU RIGHT, AH BEEN A LONG TIME GITTIN' UP TO DIS PLACE
EF AH HAD DE STRENGTH, AH'D SLAP YOU IN DE FACE
YOU DIDN'T MIND ME WOIKIN' SUNUP TO SUNDOWN.
PAID NO 'TENTION WHEN AH WRINKLED FROM ALL O' MY FROWNS
YOU KNOW, DIS TIREDNESS STARTED BACK WHEN AH WAS FIVE YEARS OLD
LONG 'FO AH EVER KNOWED AH EVER HAD A SOUL.
AH LUGGED BUCKETS O' WATER TO WATER DE CROPS
HOED AND HOED TILL AH THOUGHT AH'D DROP
PICKED BERRIES IN DE MOANIN', IN DE HEAT OF DE DAY
WASHED CLOTHES FUH DE WHITE FOLKS TILL MY HANDS TURNT GRAY.

But Evalina, Evalina, that's all over now
You came up to Heaven to rejoice and wear a crown.
So Evalina, Evalina, please come on and shout
Let's rejoice for a while, now come on and shout.

GIMME TIME TO BLOW MY BREAF, LAWD
AH AIN'T MADE O' NO STEEL
MY FEETS HURTS ME SO BAD
AIN'T 'BOUT TO GIT TO MY KNEES
TO PRAY UP TO DE POINT O' SHOUTIN'
'CAUSE MY KNEES ACHE, TOO
SO DON'T TELL ME AH'M JES' POUTIN'
MY SHOUTIN' IS THROUGH
'SIDES AH SHOUTED ENOUGH
DOWN WHERE AH COME FROM
AH THOUGHT DIS PLACE WAS QUIET
OR AH WOULDNA COME.
ALL DESE FOOLS JES' HOLLERIN'
JES' SHAKIN' AND SHOUTIN'
LAWD, AH AIN'T CRAZY.
AIN'T GON' LET YOU WEAR ME OUT.

Evalina, Evalina, you have to hear me out
I can't let you sit down, you have to come on and shout
Everybody's singing, rejoicing and shouting
Nobody came here to sit down and pout.

LISTEN HEANH YOU PROPER TALKIN' SUCKER
AH'M SAYIN' ONE MORE TIME
EF YOU DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE
AH'M GON' KNOCK YOU FLAT DOWN.
AH AIN'T SHOUTIN' FOR NOBODY
AH AIN'T SHOUTIN' 'ROUND NO THRONE
AH AIN''T ACTIN' LAK NO WILD DOG
HOLLERIN' FUH A BONE
AH DON'T CARE EF THE THRONE IS MADE OF PURE GOLD
AH DON'T CARE EF MY WINGS WON'T UNFOLD
LAWD, EF AH CAN KEEP SETTIN' HEANH
DAT'S JES' WHAT AH'M GON' DO
SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL ACCEPT DE FACK
DAT EVALINA IS THROUGH
AH AIN'T SHOUTIN' FUH YOU AND NOBODY ELSE
EF YOU WANT ANY SHOUTIN' DONE, DO IT YO'SEF
AH'M GON' SET RAT HEANH ON DIS COMFORTABLE SEAT
SO EF AH WUZ YOU, LAWD, AH'D GIVE ME SOME ICE TEA
LET ME SET HEANH AND WATCH
GWONE, HAVE A GOOD TIME
EF YOU DO LAK AH TELL YOU
WE GETS 'LONG JES' FINE
BUT DEAR LAWD 'FO YOU GO
IT'S TO YOU AH GIVE MY PLEA
BRING ME A TUB O' HOT WATER
SO AH CAN SOAK DESE TIRED FEET
IT'S BEEN SO ROUGH GITTIN' UP HEANH
AH DESERVE A LITTLE TREAT
CAUSE LAWD, AH'M JES' SO TARD,
DEAR LAWD, AH'M SO BEAT.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Let Me Say How Much I Love You

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

Can't you see, how I feel
The essence of me quivers
When it's you I'm near
Look my way, let me say
How much I love you.

Can't you tell, deep in this well
There's a churning passion
Long-stirred by your spell
Look my way, let me say
How much I love you.

How can I, won't even try
To explain the tide that floods me
When you're near my side
Look my way, let me say
How much I love you.

REFRAIN
And when you walk into my presence
You have to feel the effervescence, running through my head
Not twice, look once, I'm sure you'll notice
If you even think to slightly touch me
You sense loss of life's breath
So look my way, let me say
How much I love you.
So look my way, let me say
How much I love you.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Whistle Clear, Whistle Clear I Will Wait

By Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

A blazing sun burned cold behind my face
The day you turned and walked across the space
Into the arms of one from school-year days
Left me alone to yearn for yesterday
I walked away but found I never left
Remained to ponder all I couldn't forget
The kiss you smiled me when our eyes first met
That never promised there would be regret.

I wait to live again our briefest day
To hear you tender call me 'cross the way
To hasten, run into your arms to stay
To never leave, to never go away
And still I wait to hear you whistle clear
Beneath my window, make my earth stand still
And though I wait for you against my will
I'll wait forever, then again until.

REFRAIN
I will wait forever
Till I hear you 'neath my window
Whistle clear, whistle clear, I will wait.
In each season, I will listen
When the day ends, in a new day
Whistle clear, whistle clear, I will wait.
I will wait forever, I will wait forever
I will wait, I will wait, I will wait.
I WILL WAIT . . . I WILL WAIT . . . I WILL WAIT
I WILL WAIT. . . I WILL WAIT.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Let's Plant the Field With Corn

By Carolyn V. Crawford AKA Rachel Dunkerque

Let's plant the field again with corn
Like the time in the years when first I was born
When the green of the field filled the early morn
Let's plant the field with corn.

Let's plant the field with corn again
Let the corn feel the kiss of the fresh spring rain
And the dew of the dawn as the day begins
Let's plant the field with corn.

In the field we will plant all the corn in a row
Dig the holes, drop the seed in four by four
For the cut worm, to die, for the crow, one to grow
Let's plant the field with corn.

When the corn grows tall we will hide in the rows
Chase the fleet butterfly and the swift black crow
Hail the man dressed in rags, wear his hat full of bows
Let's plant the field with corn.

While the corn's still green and the flax blows soft
In the breeze, braid the silk, till the day is lost
When the worms peep out from the husks, pick them off
Let's plant the field with corn.

When the corn is ripe we will pluck roastin' ears
Boil a pot, pipin' hot, till it drips with tears
Eat the corn, toss the cobs to the pigs and the chicks
Let's plant the field with corn.

Let's plant the field again in the spring
When the blue of the sky meets the earth with a grin
Like the time when we played in the fields first as friends
Let's plant the field with corn.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

They Fell Upon Its Grave

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

There was a tree, 'longside a road
It stood alone, bore well its load
And it never sought attention
     from the road as it passed by
The tree was stout, a strong live oak
Stood sturdy 'neath, a thick green coat
Till its leaves began to tumble
     as they fell upon its grave.

A many day, in years gone by
The tree was oft to wear a smile
And was glad to offer comfort
     to the road as it passed by
Until the road, stretched wide and long
Brought to the tree, much that was harm
And its leaves just kept on tumbling
     as they fell upon its grave.

The tree grew limp, as days passed by
Its strength was spent, gone was its smile
But the road just kept exacting
     more harm than the tree could bear
The road stretched on, day into night
Wearied the tree from trunk to bow
And its leaves just kept on tumbling
     as they fell upon its grave.

The BIRD OF LIGHT, lit on the tree
With one caress, relieved its grief
And renewed its strength and courage,
     to stand 'side the road again
It sang a song of peace serene
Of days to come, of leaves so green
That the tree would not yet slumber
     where the leaves fell on its grave.

And now the tree, with life renewed
Looks to the LIGHT, with gratitude
Though the road will always bring harm
     to the tree as it passes by
The tree knows now, the BIRD OF LIGHT
Will lift it up, when there is strife
And its leaves no longer tumble
     fall no more upon its grave.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

In the Recess of My Heart

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

You yearn to hear me whisper, your name against your chest
Taste my lips in the kiss of a pouring rain
Under skies on fire with God's fine play
You want your arms to close me in
Feel the thunder clap the lightning in its hand
You spoke such words, no riddle
It was so clear I was your aim
I took account, but I never said a thing
Now as regards your exhortations, I answer no and no again
You see the ring you wear means I'd be second-hand.

'Cause if I lay me down beside you
Flesh to flesh I'd want to bind you
Forever close to me in the recess of my heart.

You hunger to embrace me at sea in first the light
Caress my face awash in flames as they burn the night
Watch the deep erupt with geyser mists
Wrap me endless in your arms
Let the day-star dance us slowly toward star-night
Oh-h-h-h the winsome way you woo me
Feels like a lovely fairy tale
I shake my head, turn temptation from my way
Since I'm a girl who leans toward leprechauns
It makes it hard for me to say
I'll be your one and only dream that cannot stay.

'Cause if I lay me down beside you
Flesh to flesh I'd want to bind you
Forever close to me in the recess of my heart.

'Cause if I lay me down beside you
Flesh to flesh I'd want to bind you
Forever close to me in the recess of my heart.
Forever close to me in the recess of my heart.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Shelter

By Carolyn V. Crawford AKA Rachel Dunkerque

Against the wind she bent and swayed
She fought to shield me from the pain,
That burst along on gusty gales
Then turned to angry, pelting rain.

I tried to hear the scattered words,
That bounced from roof, to pine, then oak,
In search of open space like birds
To soar beyond her heavy cloak.

"Keep still," I screamed. "I wish to hear
The secret that you hide so well."
"Is it too dreadful for my ears?"
"Is it so painful you can't tell?"

She moaned and bowed, then shook her leaves
And closed her cloak much tighter still.
"I hold this pain, this hurt, this grief
I hate to see it break your will."

"But you insist so I'll let go
This ache that threatens to split me wide
It's yours to face, this is your woe
I give you all that's hidden inside."

With quivering leaves turned toward the sky
As if to pray away the doom
She trembled deep, then with a sigh
Unleashed a ball of treacherous gloom.

Such pain! It screamed about my head,
Soared up then swirled and took its aim.
I staggered, stumbled . . . sank in dread
Collapsed as it devoured my frame.

"You've lost. You've lost. He's gone away.
He's gone. With him you are no more.
Your life is gone, you're dead, you're gray
Give up. Give in. He's gone for sure.

"Those tears, so sad, slide down your face
As you lay quaking in the sand
But they won't change what passed this way
They cannot take you from my hands."

Though weak I forced my eyes to watch
My soul float up beyond my reach
Out past the tree far from the pouch
That once tried hard to shelter me.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

I Know I Loved You Right

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

I took the time to scratch your hair
I took the time to clip your nails
And I even picked the pimples from the velvet of you face
Ironed your socks, your underwear
Kept them looking close to new
Till you turned and left me on the stairs before she took two tens and two
I worked two jobs and sometimes three
Held not a distant thought of me
I would have sold newspapers on the side just to keep you loving me
Trusting in all the things I tried
Not one could keep you satisfied
But I forgive myself 'cause I know I loved you right.

I took the time to hear your dreams
Crossed every line to work your schemes
To get you driving all your fancy cars decked out in silk and diamond rings
Wore out the floor when you were gone
And begged that HE would bring you home
Till you came one Sunday cleaner than you left, ordered me to leave you alone
Clocked extra time to make your bed
Softer than clouds beneath your head
And I would have walked 'cross burning coal just to keep you and me wed
Trusting in all the things I tried
Not one could keep you satisfied
But I forgive myself 'cause I know I loved you right.

I loved you right, gave you my all
Still you walked away without a glance
To see how hard, how far I would fall
I loved you right, gave again and again
But I forgive myself 'cause I know I loved you right.
And I forgive myself 'cause I know I loved you right.

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Shelter

SHELTER
By Carolyn V. Crawford AKA Rachel Dunkerque

Against the wind she bent and swayed
She fought to shield me from the pain,
That burst along on gusty gales
Then turned to angry, pelting rain.

I tried to hear the scattered words,
That bounced from roof, to pine, then oak,
In search of open space like birds
To soar beyond her heavy cloak.

"Keep still," I screamed. "I wish to hear
The secret that you hide so well."
"Is it too dreadful for my ears?"
"Is it so painful you can't tell?"

She moaned and bowed, then shook her leaves
And closed her cloak much tighter still.
"I hold this pain, this hurt, this grief
I hate to see it break your will."

"But you insist so I'll let go
This ache that threatens to split me wide
It's yours to face, this is your woe
I give you all that's hidden inside."

With quivering leaves turned toward the sky
As if to pray away the doom
She trembled deep, then with a sigh
Unleashed a ball of treacherous gloom.

Such pain! It screamed about my head,
Soared up then swirled and took its aim.
I staggered, stumbled . . . sank in dread
Collapsed as it devoured my frame.

"You've lost. You've lost. He's gone away.
He's gone. With him you are no more.
Your life is gone, you're dead, you're gray
Give up. Give in. He's gone for sure.

"Those tears, so sad, slide down your face
As you lay quaking in the sand
But they won't change what passed this way
They cannot take you from my hands."

Though weak I forced my eyes to watch
My soul float up beyond my reach
Out past the tree far from the pouch
That once tried hard to shelter me.

Copyright © 2015 Carolyn Crawford

Details | Carolyn Crawford Poem

Letter To God

by Rachel Dunkerque AKA Carolyn V. Crawford
(lyric and melody)

Dear God, Dear God, Dear God
Dear God, Dear God, Dear God
Dear God, Dear God, Dear God

Dear God,
I thought I'd write
These next few lines to you
I put down words, this song of praise
I offer thanks and gratitude
For all you are, for all you do
For love that binds me close to you
Dear Lord, you love me
Without the asking
'Cause I'm  Your thought
Apart of you.

Lord, I'm so grateful to be part of your creation
To walk in the flow of your love in every way
I hear you, feel you, I see you all around me
Each and every day, every day
In the hush when the birds awaken the morning
In the dance of the sun streaming light from east to west
In the bloom of the fields: white, pink, purple and yellow
You are everywhere, you are everywhere

And when the night
Lulls us to sleep
I need to know
That I can keep
Your endless love
Within the reach
Of every part of my heart.

Dear God,
I thought I'd write
This song of love to you
'Cause you're the answer to my prayers
My sweet relief, my solitude
You fill me with your light so pure
Because I'm bound so close to you
So glad you love me
Without the asking
'Cause I'm your thought
A part of you.

Seven times in a day, dear Lord, I praise You
And sometimes more for all the love you give to me
I look far back at every step I have taken
I saw you take three. I saw your take three
So now I thank you for all your tender mercies
For all above, for everything here below
I lift my hands, shout loud unto the heavens
Lord, I love you so, Lord I love you so

And when the night
Removes the day
I need to know
You'll light my way
That your pure love 
Will ever stay
In every part of my heart.

C2013-Carolyn V. Crawford