Tinge Of Hope

Cold hush bodes despair

Hardship meanders down river realm

Sunset hues raise hope

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Tinge Of Hope
(Winter sunset on the HawRiver near Bynum, North Carolina USA)

Winter Manse

As crystal flurries settle into woodland cathedral,

A refuge for deer and songbird of crimson wing,

Exquisite silence drapes ridge and holler primeval

While winter’s frosty breath in grove reigns king.

Grassy knoll and autumn tillage long for wintertide.

They commit to endurance under coverlet of snow

And frost on flaxen straw in dreamland countryside,

Where folks bide time till buds grace pussy willow. 

Long winter nights have need of warm hearth fires,

Where dance of flames gives heart and soul wing,

Makes way for tales of peril, hope, playful desires

And encourages musing about life in wait for spring.

So cast aside reason, hear lively wind in solitary pine,

Know play of sunset hues on icebound lake expanse,

Chase moonrise above glen and wooded ridge line

And find childlike comfort in Mother Nature’s manse. 

Spellbound I press against frosted window panes,

My heart captivated by abundance of ethereal down,

As icicle splendor, hoarfrost and snowy country lanes

Grow into reverie ‘bout winter days in our small town.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Star Dust
(Abandoned farm on Farrington Road east of Pittsboro NC)

Česnica - Serbian Christmas Bread

While a freshly-baked loaf of traditional Serbian Christmas bread (Česnica) cools, Cooper and I make an excursion to nearby Mary Holmes Park. We find the morning low of 1ºF has moderated to 27ºF. Cooper enjoys a carefree romp in the woodlands. I take pleasure in the crunch of snow underfoot, even as the arctic air leaves love bites on any exposed skin surface. 

Meager late afternoon sunlight does little to add comfort. We quickly decide the better part of valor is to head home, where aromas of freshly baked bread and pork roast quickly mellow adversities of winter. Soon our family will gather for dinner. 

Grandfather Ilija and oldest grandson Maximilian will break the Česnica to start festivities. In turn each family member will tear off a piece of the sweet bread. Everyone, but especially the grandchildren will quest the good luck coin Baba Melanie baked into the Česnica. According to tradition, whoever finds the coin will be blessed with good fortune in the year ahead. Mir Boži, Hristos Se Rodi...God's Peace, Christ Is Born.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Serbian Česnica