Before I became an English major, I was an art major. I learned about the art term still life and how to sketch one. A still life is a collection of objects arranged for an artist to observe and draw. The objects are still, they simply exist.
And I began thinking about how people can do the same thing. We can simply exist, but not truly live. So many things can hinder us from living: fear, hurt, disappointment, circumstances, and so much more.
Then I thought about how God gives us true life and a full life through salvation in His Son, Jesus.
So, what happens when a still life moves?
What happens when someone, that has been stuck, begins to overcome fear and whatever else has been keeping them from truly living?
That is what inspired this poem.
When a Still Life Moves is a throwback poem I wrote years ago, inspired by my art background and my reflections on what it means to move from simply existing to truly living.
And perhaps sometimes the greatest movement begins when we realize that God has called us to more than just exist.
When A Still Life Moves
When a Still Life Moves; God’s work of art no longer stands still.
It is revived and alive to the touch; Its spirit, you can feel.
It is lifted and free; Motivated and able to breathe.
It is patient and knows when to yield; for it has learned to be still.
When a Still Life moves, It enters a new season.
It has discovered its purpose, and embraced the Creator’s reason.
It changes the nature of the picture; Its colors become richer.
When a Still Life moves, It gives a new meaning to the space it occupies.
It is not limited or bound to one site.
It follows its heart and allows its imaginations to take flight.
A Still Life begins to move with time.
And can no longer be simply defined.
It moves past the fears and the doubts.
It perseveres and knows what it is about.
The light doesn’t just shine upon it, but through it.
And it attracts life to it.
When a Still Life moves,
Its laughter is like a bouquet of joy.
Its smile is like a child who is fixed upon a new toy.
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?
Don’t let this season or the enemy’s forces cause you to shrink or go back.
A crushing season and a future that looks impossible can make you want to go back to Egypt. But keep moving forward, trusting in the Lord. His love and promises will prevail, because His love is unfailing and His Word cannot return to Him void.
Hold on to God a little tighter. Keep it real with God. Bring Him all the contents of your heart. He can handle it. And gather His Word concerning every circumstance. And sometimes faith requires us to be still, yet sometimes faith requires us to move. May we have the discernment to know the difference and the courage to act accordingly.
I’m looking forward to your testimonies and mine, even within these last four months of this year.
Ever faced hard times financially? I had then and am even now. Today’s throwback is an older poem of mine called “Two F’s.”
As I read it now, I realize how much hard seasons can teach us.
Life happens. Unexpected expenses happen. We make financial mistakes. Sometimes we find ourselves trying to stretch what we have farther than it can go.
But I’m learning that financial struggles aren’t just an opportunity to learn how to manage money better. They can also teach us about trust, stewardship, contentment, discipline, and our dependence on God.
I’m learning to have a healthier relationship with money while also learning to trust God to provide.
And one thing I’m reminding myself of is this: being in a financially difficult season doesn’t mean God has forgotten you.
Sometimes the lesson isn’t simply about getting more money. Sometimes it’s about learning how to handle what we have, making wiser choices, and trusting God through the process.
So today, I’m taking a look back at something I wrote years ago and realizing that some lessons are still being learned.
I know this year has been rough for many of us. Hold on and please don’t give up.
Have you, or are you currently going through, a difficult financial season? What has it taught you?
Here’s “Two F’s.” 📖✍🏾
I received my report card and I got two F’s
But I didn’t fail a class
I failed financially and being without money Is kicking me in my rear end bad
I have a pot to piss in
But have no clue
As to how to pay all these bills when due
Why do I have to make life decisions when it comes to money?
Get gas or buy medicine
Eat a meal or pay a bill
Man should I take the hard work of another
Or put on a mask and go skipping through the bank’s steel
Make fast money fast or just give up
Why must my soul put up a fight, when I know what’s right?
I stretch my check till it can’t stretch no more
I can’t count on my bank account
And if my pockets were muscles, they’d feel soar
The love of money is the root of all evil
This I know I don’t love money, but I need it
I need it to survive
Shoot I can’t even pay my tithes
I budget well or so I think
I was tithing faithfully and I gave to others even when it was my last
So where did I go wrong
To experience tough times this bad
My mortgage due, my light bill too,
Water bill, credit card bill, student loans,
Shall I go on
My babies need food
My car needs gas
I got one dollar and no emergency stash
Disappointed and stressed
Trying not to worry
But it’s frustrating when the frequent response is decline
And the word of the day is less
I pray and I pray
And I even have a job
but don’t have much to pay Uncle Sam or pay back Uncle Bob
I have dreams
I have goals
But if I don’t have money or notoriety
To the world
they are just ideas and no’s
I am so consistently broke
That my tears need raincoats
I den cried till I can’t anymore
Once ignored calls to bill collectors are promises unsecured
Not knowing if I can back a payment for sure
Being broke isn’t fun
But I guaranteed it is someone whose finances are registered on E
And going thru worse than me
Dying because they have nothing at all to eat
Nor options or resources
So why should I complain?
I thank the Lord for getting me through
And for realizing the truth
The truth is I don’t trust Him
like I should
The truth is He made a way before, so why not now
The truth is I fed all my worthless idols with luxury and my time
They got all my plenty and took every last dime
The truth is I gave without seeking God’s wisdom
And instead I let Jealousy, Buy-A-Friend, Keep-up-with-the Jones and Slothful deplete my resources
And take the spoon out of my child’s mouth
The truth is I put all my faith in my job and other worldly sources
My job gives me allowance to keep me coming back
But my Lord gives me more than money and His Word does a better job of keeping me on track
The truth is I don’t tithe because I am afraid that if I trust the Lord
With what He gave me, He won’t give it back
The truth is I forget He knows what I need before I even ask
And though tests will come I will survive
Because my Lord is alive
And His bank account is greater than all the banks and gold in the world
So I am learning not to utter I am broke
Because words are powerful
My Lord has plenty
And I don’t have to live on Decline
Because the Lord didn’t bring me this far
To leave me behind
I will reach Prosperity Lane
Instead of always living check to check and pockets drained
I will continue to pray my Two F’s away
And ask for clarity
On how to get a B For budget,
C for cash And A for Accepted and Never Denied
I will pay all my debts and owe no man nothing except love
I will learn to obey God and trust Him to provide
I will depend on Him and do more than just get by…
Leaving this prayer here for those who are also experiencing one of those heavy seasons.
May we remember God will never leave us nor forsake us. Please pray this prayer and may you be encouraged. God sees our tears and hears our cries.
If you’re believing God for a miracle or breakthrough, comment “AMEN”. 🙏🏾❤️ And if you feel comfortable, share what you’re trusting God for so we can agree with you in prayer.
So, I think I am going to start a new series titled Throwback Thursday Poetry Time showcasing my older poetry. Come alongside me as I reintroduce my older poems and muse over my writing throughout the years. Let’s take a little trip through the archives. ✍🏾📖
Today’s poem comes from my first published book and is its namesake.
This poem was written during a season where I was learning to build my confidence as a writer, my voice as a person, and share with others a gift I thought was only for me.
Writing throughout the years became a place where I could explore emotion, imagination, healing, faith, and creativity. I began to understand that poetry isn’t simply something I write. It is an art form and a gift—one of the ways I can share what God has placed within me with others.
And when I wrote this poem, I believe I wanted to convey that expression and creative writing has allowed me to not only express myself and explore emotions and ideas, but also take the things I was afraid to say aloud and give them words through writing, especially poetry. It carries a freedom to do so also. I wanted to give myself permission to release the words of creativity, lessons, encouragement, wisdom and stories. That is a captive being set free.
Tannika Nikeya 