Vanities

This is Harmen Steenwyck's Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Life. There are so many different parts to this painting that the creative juices would definitely flow. I was really excited about the outcome of this story. Wonder what you will come up with.

Twilight was soon to pass on the year’s aged time to greet the coming youthful days. The mortal world celebrated the new dawn in animated voices surrounded by colorful decorations, sumptuous food, and imbibing wines. With slumber weighing the lids of their festive eyes they each make their way staggering to the calming cover of beds. Dreams and hopes fill their heads to awaken with them on the coming morn.

                While the last of the mortals sway and saunter to their abodes, the spiritual world arouse from their lofty or bottomless dwellings.  The last of the mortal music dies out leaving the night silent to the mortal’s ears, but the ethereal beings their ear did hear thunderous clamor approaching. 

                From the heavens along a hopeful path a chariot of white pearl, came to view, a sun of radiant gold with swirls etched out to the sides came out to the sides decorating chariot, gold trimming the wheels. The chariot was pulled by four luminous white horses, rays of light in their wake,  a man of colossal height at the reins.  He wore a robe shining as bright as the sun, his hair and long beard brighter then the snow in midday, his eyes a crystal blue like the a calm sea.  A loving expression enveloped his countenance but strength and authority radiated his form. He guided his airy beasts to a grove hidden within the woods outside the concrete forest. Once the white beasts were pulled to a halt the heavenly being stepped from the chariot his sandaled feet touching the emerald grass.  His feet took him to a plane wooden table, filled with curious objects, light on one side and darkened on the other. Placed at each end of the table, two high backed chairs one ashen, one ebony; taking the ashen chair he patiently sat his arms placed on the carved armrests.  He wasn’t there long before heard jingling of bells and glanced beyond the far chair.

                From the highway of despair a black carriage, dark as a moonless night, emerged into the secret grove. It was made of the finest materials, the wheels where lined with gold but the spokes where embedded with precious jewels of various cuts. The carriage was pulled by six ebony horses their manes and hides as dark as a bottomless pit.  Their eyes a flaming fire as the trail they left behind.  A shriveled being unrecognizable to the mortal eye sat atop a bench situated at the front of the carriage. The being was a man who once alive chose evil acts against his fellow man, now is in eternal servitude. He whipped the horses one last time before drawing them to a halt within the grove. He scuttled down from his perch and slithered to the carriage door to open it for his passenger.  The shriveled creature, cowered in fear when a dazzling black shoe stepped from the carriage.  A man emerged; a dark silken suit adorned his body. A crooked cane with a skull at the top was held firmly in his hand. The man’s hair was ebony slickened back to show his alluring handsome face and dark sinister eyes. Scowling he raised the cane to his pathetic driver as if to hit him the creature cowered and then he chuckled. The richly dressed man confidently made his way to the table where the other sat, bowed and smoothly took his place.

                “Old Man,” he greeted.

                “Satan,” the man in white acknowledged.

                “Another year, Old God, has come and gone and here we are again.” He said with excitement.

                “Indeed, we are. What doest thou see upon this table that is earth.” God asked his companion.

                “Upon this table, “he mocked leaning forward. “ I seeth what has always been here. But, now I see that more of the objects on my side then on yours.” He laughed a chilling laugh. “I see the sword, a symbol of war. With the sword countries have been conquered, resources have been claimed, people enslaved, and even with the young, domination runs high.

                “The instruments of music! What fun! The parties, the merrymaking, oh the merrymaking,” he sneered. “The mortals that get drunk to see what fools they can be, entertains me so. What possibilities. I so enjoy it.”

                “Let’s not forget the purple silk a symbol of riches. How I adore the rich. They look down their noses upon the poor never to raise a finger to help. They despise them. And to watch them seek more; the pleasure runs deep.” He looks back at his servant.

                “These books of learning, the teachings of men take the mortals away from you. Don’t they, Ancient?  They care no more for scripture or prayer you are fading from their sight, no longer important. Knowledge is power; a power that enslaves.  It leads them right where I want them.”  Satan clenches his fist.

                “The skull is Death. I look forward to death when my kingdom fills with many souls. It delights me. And what do you have on your side, Ancient God, a shell?”

                “Yea, a shell; a symbol of birth. Into this world the spirits of heaven are born to choose for themselves good or evil.” God leaned forward too. “One thing thou art missing, Satan.”

                “And what is that?”

                “A heavenly light still shines upon those objects placed on this table. There are many that will bear the sword to triumph over evil and protect the innocent. The instruments still sing praises of God and hope to comfort souls lost and burdened. Riches big or small, of many mortals, are shared with the poor; never despise or look down on. With books many lips utter the scriptures that can guide them home; within books knowledge is taught to do good.  When death comes I stand at the gate to welcome my children home. Satan, thou evil snake, do not forget that in this mortal world, evil cannot thrive without good nor good without evil.  Good shall triumph.”

                “That I do not believe, Old Man!” He sneered leaving the table angrily stalking to his carriage. Before getting in his once handsome face turned ugly. “We shall see!” getting in he banged the roof. The withered creature snapped the whip the horses whining in agony.

                God sat back looking at the objects smiling. “Dear children, I have faith in you.”