Winter Solstice Rumination

Long winter nights fraught with barren darkness

Test depths of resolve ‘round hearth fire night.

Shelve discontent, enjoy winter’s harness,

Till hushed twilight cedes dominion to light.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

On the shortest day of the year, a walk-about at Jordan Lake’s rock-strewn, eastern shore replenishes wells of wisdom and creative inspiration. Wrack lines of seagull molt feathers at the rugged water’s edge are akin angel down, whispers of divine music.

The contrast between the immovable and the buoyant speaks to the duality of the solstice—a time of balance between opposites. My imagination soars as my heart absorbs the symphony of ethereal gifts. It’s a potent moment to align with universal truths and rhythms.

Ethereal Symphony

Ebenezer Church Point on Jordan Lake NC

Poor Man's Weathervanes

Countless ring-billed seagulls overwinter at Jordan Lake NC. The mostly ice free, shallow waters are rich fishing grounds and the surrounding countryside provides ample opportunities to scavenge and forage. 

At daybreak they congregate on deserted beaches to socialize, preen and soak up gentle celestial fires kissing the world awake with a symphony of warmth and light. A sunbath at dawn chases away night chills and coaxes life into the winged marauders.

There is something mesmerizing about a vast flock of white plumage facing and enjoying the music of celestial spheres—like an array of weathervanes turned into the breeze—squawking, forecasting warm embraces of longer days. After all, the winter solstice is just days away.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Poor Man's Weathervane

Ring-billed gulls at Jordan Lake NC

Winter Maker Moon

On December 5th the last full Moon of this year—a super Moon—lights up celestial and Earth realms. Named the Winter Maker Moon by the Abenaki tribes indigenous to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Quebec, the storied orb validates native American lore. After daytime highs in the mid-30s, temperatures plummet below the freezing mark after sundown. Crystal clear night skies amplify its mythos. I make time for a look into our back yard and clear as day spot two deer grazing. 

Here’s a short compilation of other monikers for this celestial phenomenon used by native Americans tribes in by-gone days: Long Night Moon (Mohican), Cold Moon (Mohawk), Hoar Frost Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree), Moon Of The Popping Trees (Ogalala), Snow Moon (Cherokee), Mid-Winter Moon (Ojibwa). 

© Ilija Lukic 2025

Winter Maker Moon

Ebenezer Church Point on Jordan Lake NC

Life's Eventide

Lifelong toil and troubles sap hearts and minds,
Then winter’s brume haunts dying of their light, 
Until divine twilight man's heart unwinds,
'Cause heaven’s light spills hope, to soul’s delight.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

A moment of reflection always draws me closer to God by acknowledging His grace and faithfulness in providing divine help in times of troubles and especially transitional periods of my journey—such as my life’s eventide.

Ebenezer Eventide

Ebenezer Church Point on Jordan Lake NC

Hope Is A Lifeline

Hope dawns when light triumphs over darkness

And highlights vile chaos born of shadows,

Cast by evildoers that would harm us,

By tethering your soul with their dark throes.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

“Tis the season of hope, a lifeline and anchor for the soul rooted in faith. Hope is not wishful thinking. It’s an active, looking-forward and striving-for-good-things process that blends desire with purposeful action. St Nicholas of Myra embodies the spiritual roots of hope and selfless generosity…historically continued by Santa Claus, as a potent symbol of hope and goodwill.

Beacon Of Hope And Goodwill

Detail from larger oil painting by local artist Frye

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