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so give it away and you will find a pearl.
And as long as you stay true, then a good life will find you."
Heartfelt and sincere, Crawford Jr.'s courageous tale of endurance is central to his deeply personal chapbook. A self-proclaimed homeless and disabled American veteran, Crawford Jr. boldly recounts his struggles with addiction, abuse, alcoholism, and depression. Because he generously divulges the intimate details of his life in the introduction, readers are able to appreciate the ultimate message at the heart of his verse: "your turn will come to have a better life so long as you believe."
Although generally similar with their lyrical notes and steady rhyme schemes, these emotionally evocative poems inspire the reader in remarkably different ways. Some poems, such as "Worth Living," read as nostalgic yet hopeful elegies written to an unforgettable lover. Others, such as "What is Normal" and "Stand Up," are rallying cries to defy norms and resist the dark evils of repressive forces, while "Young Men" reflects upon life's ironies with a welcomed dose of black humor: "you find a really nice home but the bank refuses to give you a loan."
The chapbook is also filled with prayerful odes of praise such as "The Lord" and "Higher Power," which celebrate the stability provided by a newfound Christian life. Similarly, "Michael," captures the speaker’s prophetic vision of triumph and redemption: "I saw Michael and the grim reaper in one final / brawl and the grim reaper did fall." Although there are frequent religious allusions, Crawford Jr. manages to handle them all with a light touch and earnest tone that is never discriminatory or judgmental.
Ultimately, Life and Inspirational Poetry is recommended for any reader who is seeking comfort and peace of mind in the face of adversity. Crawford Jr.'s pearls of wisdom are wrought from a hard life met with humor and grace, and the honesty of his poetry testifies to his desire to help others survive their own trials by fire.