Spring Thaw

The spring equinox is twenty days away. By late afternoon sunshine gets the better of murky skies and temperatures briefly reach into the low forties. The warmth melts the weeklong snow blanket in sheltered woodland areas with unexpected ease. Small rivulets form and expose the red clay soil, which dominates the Piedmont Plateau in our area. The water erodes intricate patterns and by absorption colors the snow.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Spring Thaw

Stone Age Portal Dolmen

During a hike through Carolina woods with Cooper, I come upon an imposing stone work devised by creative landscape architects. Stark yet aesthetic lines capture my attention and imagination. The artful replica is reminiscent of single-chamber, megalithic tombs scattered all over Europe. Most date to the late-Neolithic era 4000 - 3000 BC. I take a moment and dwell on my school days in Deutschland captivated by histories of ancient cultures and civilizations. I remain an aficionado of German and Norse mythology, epic poetry and stories. My heart takes flight to days of yore, when Frost Giants roamed the Earth.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Neolithic Portal Dolmen

Epistle Of Enlightenment

Early morning snow sifts into the winter wood. Cooper and I cannot resist a jaunt down rustic trails near our home.

Snowflakes cavort under ashen skies.

Ethereal touches on cheek and brow

Encourage pursuit of their perfection,

Their epistle of enlightenment, their,

Solace for the human heart and soul.

Abide the wisdom in their whispers,

Gathered among untold stars, and,

Now consigned to an earthly existence

Among tall trees in winter slumber.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Winter Woodlands

Woodland Trail

The Winter Wood

Cooper and I venture into Carolina woods under overcast skies and temperatures near the freezing mark. Several days of brutal arctic airs, freezing rain and snow squalls deepen winter slumber. Residual snow gives prominence to woodland trails. Nearby a crow announces our trespass into its domain. While Cooper explores scent trails my thoughts take flight. Snow creaks underfoot. The delicate sounds heighten exhilaration. My pace quickens until I catch sight of a church tucked into the cathedral of trees. I pause and celebrate the divine silence.

Winter woods beckon.

Age-old memories unravel
The essence of muddy trails,
Autumn majesty underfoot
And storied tales of ancients
Whispered in tree canopies
By the playful bard—wind.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Rock Springs Church

The Sorcerer's Stone

Late-afternoon snow squalls usher in an arctic cold front. In their wake pinking skies and light dusting of snow allude to amiable intentions by Father Winter.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

The Sorcerer's Stone

Sissipahaw Reverie

The hypnotic dance of starlight on ripples of lake water stirred by whispers of wind brings to life visions of a youthful Sissipahaw hunter. He belongs to the clan of the bear. Pockets of cultivated terrain and pristine wilderness along the Haw River and its numerous tributary creeks are their ancient homelands. This afternoon he treads the dense woodlands in pursuit of turkeys and deer. A successful hunt will bring welcome change to his family's meals of fish, farmed corn and beans.

His mind wanders briefly. This evening his tribe's story teller will capture imaginations with tales of strange white men who first came generations ago in search of gold. She is the keeper of age-old stories and memories. Gathering by the flicker of camp fires serves two purposes. First, to entertain the younger generation. Secondly, to deliberate courses of action and allay unease about rumors of much more aggressive white invaders to the north and east of their village.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Sissipahaw Reverie

Unwetter Am See

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Unwetter Am See

Waterworld Horizons

Cooper's first outing to Jordan Lake State Park just east of Pittsboro, North Carolina ends with agreeable exploits. Although he spent most of his life chasing endless horizons on the arid Llano Estacado tablelands of New Mexico, this intrepid adventurer adapts quickly to the wet stuff. He takes several chest-deep plunges into the frigid waters. After umpteen charges down the beach, he pauses and contemplates unfamiliar waterworld horizons.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Water Dog

Waterworld Horizon

Hillbilly Pawfishin'
(Cooper at Jordan Lake)

Martha's Chapel

In 1804 circuit riding minister Reverend James O'Kelly, an outspoken abolishionist and founding member of the historical Christian movement called the Christian Connection establishes Martha's Chapel. The beautiful house of worship still graces a one-acre parcel of land just east of Jordan Lake at the intersection of Martha's Chapel Road and Highway 751 in North Carolina.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Martha's Chapel

Whispers Of The Universe

A 72ºF mid-February afternoon invites adventure laced with introspection along pristine shorelines and beaches of Jordan Lake in North Carolina. The sun adds a delightful light show as its rays dance on wind-stirred ripples across lake waters.

Let your heart give audience
To subtle voices within your heart.

Hear the gentle touch of snowflakes
In the fury of an avalanche,
Hear the celestial rhythms of rain
In fugitive puddles of a parched plain,
Hear the silent language of tears
In moments of joy and fathomless grief,
Hear the timeworn babble of brooks
In placid reflections of lake waters,
Hear the passionate poetry of lovers
In sighs of wind caressing wintry pines.

Allow your soul to touch eternity
On winged whispers of the universe.

© Ilija Lukić 2015

Whispers Of The Universe

Winter Solitude