I wrote this poem years ago and released it in my 2015 book, Wearing Someone Else’s Shoes Ain’t Never Been Me.
As I read it now, I realize life often seems to go in circles, and the world is so broken. I am grateful, though, that I have an anchor of hope and a Comforter within who reminds me of His love and care and that He will always be there.
These may have been things occurring some years ago, but they, and much more, are still going on today. I wrote this when I was looking at a broken world. Years later, I realize I am not exempt from that brokenness either. I have experienced my own struggles, imperfections, disappointments, and moments of fear. But through it all, God has continued to be my anchor.
Without further ado, here is one of my older poems that still seems to be the current situation.
Current Situation
Sink holes all over our land
But it’s not the only thing falling apart or sinking in
As our country gets farther from God
And more comfortable with sin
City officials on trial for scandals and deceit
Suicide is on the rise because of inner despair and defeat
Black men are being killed out of fear and hate,
Leaving families behind
Our children walking around with violence On their minds
Negative hustles are growing destructively strong
Begging is tough
And even our little girls are tremendously rough
For the poor, resources are scarce
But for the rich, they are not
Our nation is experiencing moral decay
And the core of family has begun to increasingly rot
College tuition increasing
And right along with debt
Sanity decreasing Right along with soul’ identity theft
The devil doesn’t just want to steal your mind
he hopes to put your soul in a bind
Living within the realms of the city
Cost too much too
Old ways, old things, old habits,
We need something new
Spiritual battles, internal wars
Aids cases rise as he/she scores
Emotions are cold
The wicked are bold
The hurt hurts
The confuse confuses
The dead walks
The gossiper talks
Oil prices rise
Then fall
The cost of bread is increasing
Hunger won’t stall
Politicians cheat and lie
Keepin’ up with the Joneses has gone wild
As we scram to get someone else’s life and style
That we cannot buy
We can’t even afford to die
Babies are being abused
Women coming up missing
Young children are being targeted with perversion and used
Children growing up fast
Childhoods don’t last
Life was hard
And is much harder now
For those who think they don’t have anything to lose
They throw in the towels
Nothing new on the news
It’s the same corruption, murder, and crime
Horror and fake stuff on TV helps to desensitize us
And it’s all about me and mines
Liars and disloyalty help us to distrust
It seems like this nation is on a collision course to hell
But the Kingdom of God will prevail
We, siblings of Christ, are the salt of the earth
And the light of the world
Have we been walking in God’s authority, His word
To push back darkness in the lives of every man, woman, boy and girl?
Have we erected altars of prayer to God
And welcomed His presence over and in our land?
Have we straddled the fence or are we taking a stand?
Have we emerged in selfishness, sugar coating, and pride?
Have we impacted the nations or are we still asleep?
Selah
Tannika Nikeya 