Unflappable

Mother Nature huffed a laugh at daylight,

After she flooded lake shoreline acres—

Expecting protest, clamor and much plight—

Yet spied a heron and trees in hip waders.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Does Mother Nature ever get annoyed, surprised or exasperated, when she unleashes all manner of furies across creation; yet, the Earth and her denizens tenaciously just roll with the punches? Unlikely, since her ascribed furies are driven by physical laws of the universe. Personifying them helps humankind cope with challenges beyond our control.

In life’s journey we must strive to become an unruffled person, who lives mindfully in the moment and endeavors to know oneself. Pause before reacting to challenges and accept what you cannot change, then, adapt and overcome. Most importantly, cultivate spiritual inner peace—become unflappable.

Unflappable Serenity

Great Blue Heron on Seaforth Peninsula at Jordan Lake NC

Purposeful Elegance

During early morning hours, a Great Blue Heron’s elegance emerges when the stealthy, wading bird discards superfluous movements; and, the complexity of prey pursuit by this masterful shoreline and wetland hunter transforms into something visually simple, yet appealing. Its laser focus, purposeful stalking, deliberate statuesque poses and its patience before that inevitable instantaneous strike are a harmonious blend of beauty and functional artistry, where design meets purpose—a paragon of elegance.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Purposeful Elegance

Great Blue Heron on Seaforth Peninsula at Jordan Lake NC

Transformative Silence

Nature communicates without speaking a word. Yet, the fleeting moments one spends adrift upon her sacred breath—as revealed in the palpable, ethereal silence of a lakeshore woodland at dawn—unburden minds, reveal fundamental wisdom, and replenish wells of physical and spiritual inspiration. Said moments of quietude are uniquely suited for constructive daydreams, beneficial to shed fresh light on milestones in life’s journey of infinite possibilities. When the heart, mind and soul communicate, dreams and mindful visions help navigate our personal odyssey and define who we are.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Transformative Silence

Great Blue Heron on Seaforth Peninsula at Jordan Lake NC

Old West Iconography

While Old Man Winter here in Central North Carolina tries to decide on snow, sleet or rain…my cowboy heart and soul romanticize about days of the Old West. In the fertile fields of mind’s eye, I create nostalgic portrayals of the American frontier experience; then, use contemporary images I created some years ago—albeit with a degree of artistic license—to showcase classic visuals of life in bygone days on the High Plains of Eastern New Mexico.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

El Vaquero Viejo

"The Old Cowboy" Ilija in New Mexico c. 2013

9th US Cavalry Regimental Standard Bearer

Re-enactment at Ft Stanton Days in New Mexico

American Great Plains Icon

Bison bison aka American Buffalo on Llano Estacado tablelands north of Clovis, New Mexico

Pioneer Spirit

Timeworn hopes and dreams haunt abandoned homestead near Broadview, New Mexico

Rodeo Partnership

Cowboy foresight ensures clean roping run,

With focus on gear, as a matter of course,

Because his horse knows what needs to get done.

Good strategy means partnership with horse.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

During our years on the High Plains of Eastern New Mexico, rodeos were exciting waypoints in the cultural fabric of the Western way of life. Cowboys entered the rodeo arena with clear plans, well-prepared gear and horses, as well as a can-do mindset ready to execute a high speed task with precision and control. 

Gear Check

Cowboys check ropes and tack before steer roping event in Clovis NM c. 2008

Soul Of The World

Lake expanse sways dreams

Heart bonds with soul of the world

Mind finds true purpose

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Soul Of The World

First light at Cooper's Cove on Jordan Lake NC

Road Less Travelled

When passion for adventure fades, minds rust.

Let roads less travelled embrace heart and soul,

So you can blaze new trails through primal dust

And put right tell-tale misery’s hellhole.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Road Less Travelled

Seaforth Peninsula on Jordan Lake NC

Cowboy Reverie

Mind’s eye finds me on Staked Plain,

Chasing skittish mavericks

And corralling ornery steer

From first light to sundown…

Like cowhands of yesteryear.

I’m saddle-soar, plumb tuckered out,

Dry bath scrubs grime and sweat,

Strong black-jack ‘neath starlit veneer

Loosens jaws by fire light…

Like cowhands of yesteryear.

On said ancient tablelands,

Where vultures climb thermals

And buzz tails wake primal fears,

I lived lifetimes in a day…

Like cowboys of yesteryears.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Cowboy Reverie

Riding the Palomino Crazy Eyes on Llano Estacado near Portales NM

(Original photo by Lea Ciceraro; impressionist rendering by Ilija Lukić)

Endurance

Like it or not, we’re meant to persevere—

By divine design blessed with endurance—

To brave challenges of human life sphere,

Humbly, with spiritual obeisance.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Reaching For The Empyrean

Osprey Point on Seaforth Peninsula at Jordan Lake NC

Ode To Life's Rock Gardens

From realms beyond time

Water of life spills by grace.

Rock gardens liven 

Flows of said divine river

And ask mortals to commit

Both heart and soul in embrace

Of life’s journey, not fear,

With eye on eternity…downriver.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

As we navigate life in our quest of enlightenment, spiritual liberation and profound union with the divine, we must hold dear both the steadfastness of river rock gardens and flexibility of the river to move through obstacles—keeping in mind that our sojourn on Earth unfolds with interplay of human free will and divine intervention.

Rock Gardens

Along Lower Haw River Trail near Bynum NC

Wisdom's Gateway

Mother Nature pauses in hushed richness

Her autumnal pageantry of seasons...

Lets days immersed in river of life stillness

Cleanse heart and soul of villainous legions.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Wisdom's Gateway

Canoe launch site at trailhead to Lower Haw River Trail near Bynum NC

Empyrean Light

Are we by nature

A murderous lot,

Hostage to primal urges

That time forgot?

Or do heavenly embers,

Divine sparks of light,

Guide nobler instincts—

Our God-given birthright?

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Empyrean Light

Seaforth Peninsula on Jordan Lake NC

Music Of The Spheres

With crisp breath autumn stirs wind chimes to life.

Their lively chords buoy dance of earthbound leaves,

Encourage mindful peace of mind, not strife,

Which keeps at arm’s length my soul’s den of thieves.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Enduring Brotherhood

Seaforth Peninsula at Cooper's Cove on Jordan Lake NC

Whimsical Expectations

After days brim with pomp and circumstance,
Autumn skedaddles, takes leave quietly.
Wildlands unwind, roll dice on the chance
Jack Frost falls short of his notoriety

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Whimsical Expectations

Lower Haw River Trail near Bynum NC

A Return To Monet's Garden

I’ve long been inspired by the 19th-century impressionism art movement, characterized by paintings that capture the artist’s immediate response to a dynamic moment in time—often “en plein air” everyday, subject matter. Working outdoors artists endeavored to capture the fleeting effects of light on color with texture created by visible brush stokes, to help convey a sense of movement and atmosphere. 

In a series of photographic images, I humbly pay homage to artists like Claude Monet—the quintessential landscape impressionist— by editing and processing some of my pictures to emulate his painterly style.

I seek to unfold the tapestry of my afternoon adventure on the Lower Haw River Trail through a filter dipped in impressionist nostalgia. I want to color my heart’s journey through emphasis on light, color, movement, mood and emotions…and, hopefully express what my heart experienced through sensory inputs at the moment I released that camera shutter. 

© Ilija Lukić 2025

A Return To Monet's Garden

Finding My Muse

As I meander along becalmed lake waters,

Wrapped in silence and lost in reverie,

An errant breeze asks ripples of water

To break gently across my path…and nudge

The tranquil confines of introspection

That hold captive my imagination,

To release mindful lines of poetry

With each breath and ev’ry beat of my heart.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Finding My Muse

Cooper's Cove on Jordan Lake NC

Water Of Life

When woes beset your heart as fierce rivers of life test your immortal soul, just lean into God’s grace—sacred water of life—and embrace said struggles with renewed vigor and faith.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Water Of Life

Cathedral Grove on Seaforth Peninsula at Jordan Lake NC

Dreamtime

Spinning world curbs heart

Autumn’s warm hues rouse dreamtime

Heart finds its true north

Often overwhelming, the fast-paced and chaotic nature of living in the digital age curbs emotional well-being and restrains true self-awareness.

Connecting with nature in autumn during her time of transition emboldens letting go of useless habits, worn out ideas and futile relationships. Furthermore, likening autumnal turning of the leaves to embracing inevitable changes and adaptations in the human condition spills mindful self-examination into dreamtime—that soul-searching journey inward to understand your essence—to become who you truly are.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Dreamtime

Lower Haw River Trail near Bynum NC

Season Of Change

Winds of change bode bliss

Heart discards earthly burdens

Soul soars in rapture

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Season Of Change

Seaforth Peninsula on Jordan Lake NC

Timeless Journey

Joy flows from free will

God’s grace paves timeless journey

Mind the long road home

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Timeless Journey

Seaforth Peninsula spit on Jordan Lake NC