Shadows Of Life

Poetry makes light the shadows of life.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Shadows Of Life
(Self-portrait)

Gateway To Eternity

Hearts deprived of daydreams

Awash in pensive affection,

Sentimental reminiscence

And understanding of yesteryear

Make souls vulnerable

To less principled journeys

Into Eternity.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

The Ferguson House c.1915
(The Wade Hampton Farms homestead along US Highway 64 west of Pittsboro NC)

Urban Artistry

My early afternoon outing to the community of Siler City, North Carolina finds preparations for the "Person 2 Person Fest" in full swing. It is award winning local artist Roger Person's 80th birthday and the town celebrates. Person has a habit of dabbling paint on his shoes in whimsical extension of his art. Last night town folk honored his life and quirky habit by painting hundreds of shoes with creative arrays of color. Today the shoe artistry adorns shops, trash cans, phone booths, outside eating areas at restaurants, traffic signs and such.

Albeit transitory, the shoes are an enjoyable introduction to the folk and fine art treasures of the artist community in this urban setting. I find numerous galleries in league with the NC Arts Incubator offer studio space and venues for artists. On the street large murals add an air of creativity to aging, brick building facades. Chatham Rabbit is prominent. In the early 1900s Chatham rabbits are a prized source of meat hunted exclusively in the wild. Relegated to lore the lagomorph's allure enjoys revival at the hands and imagination of artists.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Chatham Rabbit

(Ten-foot mural in Siler City, North Carolina USA)

Bubbles N' Brick

(Sculpture of cut PVC pipe on brick facade in Siler City, North Caroline USA)

Person2Person

(Courtyard Cafe in Siler City, North Carolina USA)

Spring Serenade

An 80º F spring day settles into eventide across Haw River environs. Vernal renewal stirs spring fever. Young and old take time to enjoy the gentle rush of river waters and remember bygone days in the village of Bynum, when a covered bridge graced the river crossing. Only remnants of the once majestic structure remain. Delicate sunset hues delay shadows of nightfall as water fowl conduct last forays for an evening meal. Serenity reigns in heart and mind.

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Bygone Majesty

(Remnants of covered bridge which spanned Haw River and cotton mill race at Bynum, North Carolina USA)

Spring Serenade
(One of the Haw River side channels near Bynum, North Carolina USA)

Spring Fever

Spring cajoles cool winds

Breeze wakes primordial life force

Patience quickens triumph

© Ilija Lukić 2018

Spring Fever
(Tobacco shed next to Old Rock Springs Church Road, Pittsboro North Carolina USA)