Mindful communion between heart, mind and soul finds creative outlet in catching sight of and then perpetuating the artistry of light, shadow and ripples of time. Said visual poetry of spirit and light—meant to appeal to both senses and mind, as well as provide solace—engages passions and even heals physical and mental ailments spawned by traumas of life.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Dark skies weigh on heart,
Autumn rains refresh the soul
Wind whispers, amen.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Autumn meanders into hill and dale
Without fanfare, although with bated breath;
She readies heartstrings, waiting to exhale—
With gaiety paints summer’s dance of death.
Dreams of harmony mid blossoms of spring
And summer’s dazzling skies her heart compel,
To dance ‘cross Earth realms, rejoice in last fling,
With one eye on life come winter’s hushed spell.
She holds dear the season’s waning sunshine,
Gladly bathes in warm hues of morning light,
Lets her soul spill joy unto swamped shoreline
And speak of hope in times of wretched plight.
Autumn’s eye-catching drama—hit-or-miss—
Fills human heart and soul with divine bliss.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Havoc wrought by hurricane Helene continues to plague lands and people here in the Carolinas. Washed out highways and byways slow recovery efforts. The brunt of the tropical storm spared our neighborhoods; although the effects of copious rains, blustery winds and scattered tornados mark her passage northward. As waters in rain-swollen lakes and streams recede, tranquil ephemeral pools in shoreline woodlands whisper encouragement and speak of hope…this too shall pass.
Mind simple pleasures of road less traveled
And glimpses of heaven on hushed lakeshores,
Then life’s troubles won’t leave you unraveled
And peace of mind gained a frayed soul restores.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
In the 1950s half a million tobacco barns dotted the North Carolina landscape. Once landmarks in the five tobacco belts across our state, these days fewer than ten percent still stand—many re-purposed, yet weathered reminders of heydays for a shrinking industry.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Light wanes pleasingly,
Hush invites nightfall refrains—
Heartstring lullabies.
© Ilija Lukić 202
When famed river of life makes waves,
Enjoy the ride, but don’t forgo
Rocking the boat, now and again.
Give free rein to bold adventures.
Create your own rhythms of life—
Your ebb and flow of existence.
Should your best laid plans go awry,
Freely bear the brunt of life’s tides.
Never say die, domineer them!
© Ilija Lukić 2024
It’s late September near the banks of the Running Water Draw north of Clovis, New Mexico. Sacred beasts reverently referred to as tasiwóo in Comanche tribal lore graze peacefully as in days of yore. Rambunctious reddish brown calves prance playfully through shoulder-high vegetation, chasing grasshoppers and butterflies. The only sounds are tender grunts of their mothers confirming their safety and whereabouts. In their heyday numberless herds roamed vast seas of Great Plains grasslands.
A resurgence of wildflowers adds summer moods to the autumnal tranquility of the vast Llano Estacado plateau. Passing clouds briefly shade the sun-drenched prairie and amplify the spiritual aura of these imposing icons of the American West—they are bison bison aka American bison or American buffalo.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
My soul soars as sight
Of snowy peak buoys glum heart—
Hushed lake paves the way.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
'Cause life plays for keeps,
Fear not, storm-tossed roots run deep—
Keep the faith, baby!
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Stay bound and determined to fulfill goals.
They’re seminal milestones in strands of time,
Even when ventures run aground in shoals
And hope against hope is the paradigm.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Human heart despairs,
When tides of time test patience—
Let soul point the way.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Jordan Lake lies in a Triassic era rift basin and its shoreline shows distinct features of Hyco Formation bedrock. It's of volcanic and sedimentary origins.
Some 600-million years ago much of Central North Carolina, parts of Georgia and a small part of Virginia were an arc of volcanic islands. Now known as the Carolinia Terrane, this island arc was near to or a part of ancestral South America and African Gondwana continents before drifting into the North America tectonic plate. This collision, some 300-million years ago, pushed up and formed the Appalachian Mountains to our west.
When dogged by dark times,
Adapt, bring to knees all gloom—
You know who you are.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Weary souls mark time,
Till hearts open new doorways—
Mind cedes means and time.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Thirty days after the spring equinox, summer-like temperatures and azure skies invite exploration of a few miles along the tortuous 180-mile Jordan Lake shoreline. I affectionately call the ecosystem spanning riparian woodlands, sandy westward beaches and rugged eastern sandstone banks my stomping ground.
Every venture into said wilds, while afoot or later in mind’s eye, takes me through physical as well as perceived and ponderable gateways into the natural world and life itself. With rare exception even brief immersions deliver on promises of adventure, but also gains in knowledge and spiritual enlightenment for this agreeable mortal.
Heed heartfelt ways,
It hasn’t steered you wrong.
Ignore naysayers,
Life’s most wretched throng.
Once twilight looms
Bid earthbound days so long,
With heart and soul
Wrapped in sublime swan song.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
As life runs its course,
Drink wide-eyed from the cup of life—
Like a little child.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Sun first wanes on high
Then slips velvet bonds of Moon
And champions rebirth
Once again the age-old dispute of celestial spheres over dominion in the firmament of Heaven ends amicably after a cordial showdown in the skies above Mexico, across the United States and up to the Canadian Maritimes.
The spectacular event embodies the age-old metaphor for overcoming obstacles by bending like a willow to the tempests of love, loss, wisdom and power that daily life throws our way. As the moment of deepest effect the Moon has on the face of the Sun passes, a palpable sigh of relief and jubilant cry of “let there be light” wings skyward from awestruck individuals, small groups and large gatherings of people.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
The foundation and major portions of this historic landmark date back to 1785. It's located just one-half mile north of today's North Carolina State Capitol building.
As it has through the centuries, the oldest residence in Raleigh weathered last night's onslaught of spring thunderstorms well. Flowers sheared from the lofty canopy of a stately sweet gum tree carpet the grounds. The clusters compete for attention with the golden hues of the house siding and spring greenery. Gray skies bathe the setting in a gentle flat light. For a few moments time stands still and gracefully rewinds in mind's eye. Combined with the quietude and effect moisture has on enriching colors, the scene stirs nostalgia for a bygone era.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
Fickle spring weather
Flaunts winter’s tether,
Restoring trust in steadfastness,
Sells urge to persist
Gives life a new twist—
Emboldening new beginnings
Birds of a feather
Oft flock together,
Pursuing dreams that lie dormant.
So, make a short list,
Good friends will assist
Emboldening new beginnings.
Be a bellwether,
Stop useless blether,
Navigate life with verve and zest.
Ban cease and desist,
Though heart may resist
Emboldening new beginnings.
When spring rolls together
Bright highs and dark nether,
Reflect on life…take second bite.
Born again, insist,
Get off waiting list
And embolden your new beginning.
© Ilija Lukić 2024
