Carrie's Poetry Book

I never got to know you too well
But I listened to the stories that your daughter would tell me
Your grandmother was a smith with her words
I heard tale of how you used to sit and sing with the birds
You used to call me your son
My momma said I didn't know all of the healing I done
You was like a whole new person anytime I was around
I really wish that you coulda seen who we've become
Know your missed our graduations
Spiritually we know you sent congratulations
Recently been praying for some greater patience
You always said names see farther places
So I live by it
I give by it without a thought
And I stick right beside my mama
I know she fought
Numerous tears
Through all the years
I'm a product of the things my mama taught

Lord, I know who I am
And it's all cause of you
I've been strong in my plans
And I think it's overdue
Put my faith in your hands
And I know it will all come true
For all the time that it took
I wish that I could read Carrie's poetry book

I remember as a little girl
Seeing my mom sit down, many nights, at the table
Writing in her poetry book
She would write poetry to read at church
She would just write poetry to read to me
Just to share with her family
I've been looking for her poetry book for quite a while
I'm not sure if it was misplaced
When my dad cleaned out a lot of her things
I really don't think it's anything that he would have thrown out intentionally
I think maybe it was just misplaced
And it could have gotten thrown out
Because he didn't recognize what it was
My mom had a beautiful spirit
She was humble
And she put a lot of her words and her thoughts into her poetry
She would use her poems at church for women's day services
She would use her poems at church for Mother's day
Family and friends day
Just any time to share and reflect her feelings
And it just was really special to hear her come up with poetry
And poems that were genuinely from her heart and her soul
And as I listen, sometimes, to Cameron's songs
And I read the lyrics
It reminds me so much of my mom
So I'm just really glad that I've had that opportunity
To see a part of her live on through him
And I've still continued to look for her poetry book
And I hope one day that I find it

Lord, I know who I am
And it's all cause of you
I've been strong in my plans
And I think it's overdue
Put my faith in your hands
And I know it will all come true
For all the time that it took
I wish that I could read Carrie's poetry book