Ghost Of Bison Past

After days of arctic cold, ambient temperature moderates into the forties. Wished-for snows have not come to pass. Cloudless skies and brisk airs invite an early afternoon ramble through woodland quietude.

Low-hanging sun casts long shadows across leaf litter. The play of light and shadow invites imagination to take flight into days of yore, where American Bison still roam the Piedmont Plateau. Time and again silence of the wood cedes dominion to the thunder of their cloven hooves, rumbling male bellows during mating season and anxious bleating of calves away from their mother.

In mind’s eye I return to their heyday. Millions roam our continent. My heart is heavy as I pay homage to the iconic beasts at a decaying tree stump shaped like a bovine skull—a fitting allegory of their disgraceful near extermination.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Ghost Of Bison Past
(photo impressionism)

Wintertide

With bated breath Old Man Winter spent autumn on boreal throne. As he readies for a full-blown return into the Carolinas, his aloof moans of displeasure with lingering fall colors hitch a ride on southbound winds.

North wind’s ice-cold minions tussle tree tops.

Their raw breath chills man and beast to the bone.

Bar none, life longs for spring among Sundrops,

Yet gives thumbs up to Jack Frost’s wintry tone.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Old Man Winter

Choosing Oblivion

Meandering through nearly leafless woodland, I chance upon a motley scattering of leaves flashing winks of approval for their designated role in the fabric of time. I ponder their place on the wheel of life and consignment to oblivion within leaf litter on the forest floor. Turning deaf ear to downhearted musings my heart proposes about such divine decree, I allow mind's eye to explore upbeat parallels in my life by not dwelling on ghosts of lifetime past.

Weather-beaten, out of mind, left behind

Clinging to bare branch of ancestral tree,

Unremembered, yet warily I bear in mind,

When by design oblivious, I'm free!

With many moments of our lives willfully shared, surreptitiously tracked, needlessly documented and often exploited electronically, choosing oblivion to slow accelerating pandemonium of contemporary society unshackles introspection and gives breathing room to the waning art of eye to eye interaction. Such ventures nurture the best qualities of humanity.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Ghosts Of Lifetime Past

Choosing Oblivion

Swan Song

With tender gestures autumn bids goodbye.

Soft-hued ambiance whispers fond so long
Midst lighthearted quietus and thereby
Brightens spirit with uplifting swan song.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Swan Song

Peace Of Mind

Cooper and I step out for a quick outing into 25-degree airs at the crack of dawn. Touches of frost on grasses and leaf litter bear out the chilled breath of early winter. While Cooper takes a look-see, I surrender senses to the quietude. In short order the nippy conditions call for a retreat to the comforts of home, where before long I wax poetic.

Beaver Moon lights night

Hearth smoke drifts on calm night air

Pause, feel peace of mind

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Peace Of Mind
(Cooper on woodland trail near Pittsboro NC USA)

Different Drummer

Peoples of the Carolinas look forward to autumn. We appreciate foggy mornings and mist-laden lakes, delight in brisk night airs and brilliantly sunny days followed by periods of soaking rains, enjoy romps through kaleidoscopes of leaf litter, love reliving childhood fantasies in corn mazes and pumpkin patches, enjoy the blessings of family Thanksgiving get-togethers inspire and relish anticipation of year end celebrations such as Hannukah, Christmas and the ringing in of the new year—all in out of the ordinary fashion this time around due to health concerns over the viral pandemic sweeping the world.

Autumn allows breathing space to reflect on life and give the dances within your heart free rein, especially if the rhythms of the music betoken homage to that fabled yet elusive different drummer.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Different Drummer

Cardinal Braggadocio

Winds of change in woodland spell relief

From boastful chitter-chatter of songster

Flaunting red plumage in sheer disbelief

That his fine tunes may not postpone winter.

Granted he has eased his boisterous song

Until springtide sets his heart aflutter,

But he’s not ready to surrender headlong

The backwoods to Old Man Winter’s bluster.

Thus he emboldens fine feathered cohort

To escapades of mischief in the wood,

To bring about, nay blatantly exhort

Goodwill to ease bleak wintering solitude.

On reflection, his showboating prevails,

When aligned with uproar by feathered tails.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Quiet Braggadocio
(Cardinalis cardinalis aka Northern Cardinal in woodlands neat Pittsboro NC USA)

Crimson Baldachin

Not to be outdone by bronze or gold baldachins in majestic European cathedrals, ornamental silks and gold brocades above thrones and even extravagant canopies over beds of royalty and the well-to-do, breathtakingly backlit woodland spreads of autumn foliage lift up the soul—amazing grace.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Crimson Baldachin

Last Dance - Foliaceous Folly

Autumn’s last dance wakes primal awe and joy.

Few bare branches now quiver crimson leaves.

Where spider webs catch the light, duck old boy,

For said silk across face much dread achieves.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Pennies From Heaven

Foliaceous Folly

Monday Morning Blues

Trees are mostly bare and the sky is gray.

I’m out for a stroll this fine autumn day;

Pause in tree cathedral and by the way

Hear symphony of winds light music play.

Vermillion carpet underfoot holds sway;

Joins bands of many colors woes to slay. 

I drop to my knees and earnestly pray

For ease of melancholy and dismay.

Woods rid heart of baggage, that’s not hearsay,

While winter’s minions ready their mainstay—

Snows and chilled winds in blustery horseplay

Made of mirth and mischief till Groundhog Day.

Walk, walk in nature when heart feels astray

And blues wrought by life ere long slip away.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Band Of Many Colors

Vermillion Repose

Kiss Autumn Goodbye

More than three inches of rain inundate the Carolinas.Vermillion carpets of maple leaf litter lighten rain-dampened moods. In woodlands and city neighborhoods, summer  abandon cedes dominion to autumn serenity. Humble abodes of fine-feathered denizens in pine bowers are mute reminders of merriment past and gaiety come springtime.

Leaf fall carpets vale

Feathered cohorts fly the coop

Raindrops hang in trees

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Kiss Autumn Goodbye

Nebulous Euphoria

Fog-shrouded early bright on the Haw River creates dreamscapes, which rouse imagination and enduringly alter perception of our natural world.

Mystical dayspring,

Calm river heightens dreamscape—

Altered consciousness.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Nebulous Euphoria

Soothing Interlude

Short days cue Jack Frost,

Whilst summer spends last hurrah.

Ah, soothing interlude!

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Soothing Interlude
(Haw River near the old cotton mill town of Bynum NC USA)

Perpetual Jubilation

Whispers of mist release daybreak into woods.

Round-the-clock lightheartedness fills old growth

And autumn spectacle in neighborhoods,

While heart and soul lend musing gaze to both.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Lightheartedness Unleashed

Divine Spectacle

Hitchhiker

My horseless carriage stops briefly woodside.

By chance gives bodacious hitcher a ride.

She cares not what lies around the next bend;

Rides with total abandon—loves a godsend.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Hitchhiker
(Carolina Anole female, brown morph)

Autumn Resplendence

Pensive at heart I brood in soundless wood,

Where mist beclouds essence of life ablaze,

Ere long sunburst revives joys of childhood

As pristine light brightens mood to lift daze.

Hushed kaleidoscope of autumn shouts joy;

Gives new life to sunlit spiels of summer days,

Which tried to persuade akin Helen of Troy

That her beauty alone sets hearts ablaze.

Lively winds permeate autumn woodland.

Uplifting breeze showers brightly-hued leaves

And hail of acorns without slight of hand

Into leaf litter to feed four-legged thieves.

Trust in sunny sides of life, heart and soul;

Let simple joys reign free of undue control.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Autumn Resplendence
(Carolina woodlands north of Pittsboro NC USA)

Glory Days

It seems for days on end, featureless veils of fog subdue vibrant hues in tree lines and set restrained autumn moods. Weary of slogging through early autumn brume, soggy leaf liter and woodland morasses, Cooper and I look forward to and celebrate life amid glorious, sun-dappled foliage. When first shafts of sunlight pierce leaden skies and set tree canopies ablaze, the landscape extols divine majesty, lightens our footfalls and raises spirits.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Autumn Morass
(Mr Cooper)

Resplendent Specie

Autumn Blaze

Sunburst

Betrayal

Betrayal lingers like stench in stockyard.

As lack of trust makes life insufferable,

Flesh and blood come to be gravely scarred

And dark heart makes the soul vulnerable.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

On a morning outing with Melanie and Cooper, we chance upon a splendiferous mushroom highlighted by warm daybreak light. White warts, but also battle scars from nibbles and pecks define its red countenance. While taking a closer look I overhear its whispered cries of “Et tu, Brute,” the famed line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, in gentle rebuke of its two and four-legged brethren who betrayed its peaceful existence with selfish albeit small acts of violence.

In minds eye, then pen to paper, I find parallels in the human condition.

Et Tu, Brute
(Amanita mushroom)

Goodness Unchained

Within bitter heart lurk torment and strife,

Spurred by demons named hate and anger.

Given free rein, they breed tragedies in life;

When cowed, goodness prevails over rancor.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Goodness Unchained
(Cleome aka Spider Flower)

Passion - Desire Set Afire

What separates well-lived from life mundane?

Rhythm of swift horse on windswept plain,

Storied days hooked on cowboy way of life,

Where brotherly ties make trail rides worthwhile.

Moonlight strolls on sandy ocean shores

By desirous lovers longing to embrace,

Awash in feelings akin breaking waves,

Yet exquisite like butterflies in meadows.

Light captured in a single pearl of dew

With velvet gloves of quietude at dawn,

Then spilled in strokes across white linen realm

As words that caress human heart and soul.

Find passion within simple things in life,

Where passion thrives as desire set afire.

Ilija Lukić 2020

Note: Written while admitted to UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill NC for heart stent procedure...reflections about my cowboy days in NM, first date with my wife and love of photography and writing.

Mutual Respect

Peace and harmony flow when hearts brim with mutual respect.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Mutual Respect
(Arapaho Warrior painting by Ilija Lukić with clay and horsehair sculptures by Linda Person)

Mushrooms Into Eagles

Does taking a risk increase the likelihood of making a mistake? I think not. It’s a toss of the coin. Inaction in the face of social upheaval wrought by the persistent coronavirus pandemic and riotous civil unrest more often than not leads to regrets over lost opportunities and successes.

On an outing into Carolina woodlands with my canine pal Cooper, I discover a mushroom in the damp duff. Albeit beautiful, it is not an eagle in majestic flight. A flurry of thoughts race through my mind. Have we as a people become akin a mushroom…resigned to lives away from sunlight…safely tucked into our respective corners of duff…afraid to engage in societal issues.

When I ponder the last six months of life in America, every heartbeat and fiber of my being screams the adage “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” Wake up America, challenge naysayers and purveyors of divisiveness, doom and gloom. Be that eagle taking bold flight into murky skies, for you know our best days are ahead.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

A Heart Content

Wallow not in despair wrought by false idols,

Who gage human essence by traits skin-deep.

Countervail spite with love not reprisals

And a heart content with life you will reap. 

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Virgin Wood
(West of Pittsboro North Carolina)

God Bless America - Independence Day 2020

In the 1980s and 90s during the darkest days of the Cold War, I served more than a decade in Belgium and Germany on the front lines in our determined stand against the scourges of Communism, Fascism and promotion of worldwide anarchy by our adversaries. These days our country faces the same darkness once more...this time from within.

While serving in distant lands ever mindful of local cultures, we gathered encouragement from standing shoulder to shoulder as Americans in heart and soul. We opened gatherings, whether formal military function or social event with a prayer, our National Anthem and often the song "God Bless The USA." Time has not erased the emotions that welled within each such assemblage, as we stood united in preserving the ideals of our founding as a Nation, side-by-side, hand-in-hand regardless of race, creed or social background.

This year illuminations from one end of our country to the other marked our Independence Day. My favorite were the fireworks over Mt Rushmore National Monument.

Authorities in many states limited or cancelled public gatherings, celebrations and fireworks. However, our indomitable American spirit of patriotism was not muted as citizens celebrated and then lighted night skies above cities, villages, even single-family farm and ranch homes with personal fireworks. I'm proud to be an American!

I enjoy traditional Fourth of July festivities and take time to listen to the song "God Bless The USA" written by Lee Greenwood in 1984. Irresistibly the lyrics inspire hopes and prayers that we as a people set the spark of unity which stirred so long ago ablaze once more. God Bless America!

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Sunshine For The Heart

Last night’s passion lingers on finger tips,

While tender whispers keep daybreak at bay.

Till hearts bid adieu with tears upon lips

That ache for new tryst with little delay

Be still, let me make sense of your heartbeat

And kiss me like there are no tomorrows.

Touch my soul earnestly, without deceit.

Let heart’s eye find us lustful in meadows.

Summon into mind sunny garden bower

Where we renew love’s essence when apart;

Because my heart, like a field sunflower,

Thrives on the sunlight that floods from your heart

Love lives not in reason, but in the heart,

And grows most deeply when hearts are apart.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Eternal Battle Of Light vs Darkness

Recently an important person in my life pronounced my views of our country to be filthy and an unacceptable contagion.

I pondered the comment in relation to my life experiences and present national mood. Unmistakably, I sensed that odious shadows vying for dominion over our country’s soul since time immemorial have cast darkness across our land, intent on overwhelming goodness and respectable behavior. The reward this darkness seeks is to turn each one of us against the other.

Children of light, let us resolve to forgo browbeating at the behest of evil.

Coming of age as the son of immigrant parents, who chose life in America some 60 years ago to fulfill their yearning for life, liberty and opportunities to pursue happiness, colors my worldview. We strived to honor the history, ideals and customs of our new home and achieved citizenship. I felt duty-bound to help protect and preserve our family’s and Nation’s dreams and aspirations through thirty years of military service across four continents.

Extensive travels at home and abroad provided firsthand knowledge of humanity and shaped world-wise character attributes. I suffered the slings and arrows of the human condition, experienced and observed instances of inhumanity, oppression, racism, intolerance, hate and various forms of governance. On each return to American soil I thanked God to be back in our storied homeland.

Are we perfect in our journey and exercise of God-given rights enshrined by our founders in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution? By no means--we are fallible, but remain humanity’s best hope for equality and dignity for our and the world’s citizenry.

Our country was founded by individuals not only escaping religious and social discrimination, as well as political persecution, but also families longing for economic mobility. Nevertheless history does repeat, no matter how those with political power try to disguise their dark motives in advancing control and submission of the populace. Must we as a Nation continue to endure such a sad and unnecessary state of affairs?

Each day voices from children of light grow stronger among God’s faithful and people of good will. Light inevitably gets the better of darkness. Let us strive to be brothers and sisters and work hand in hand to realize our inalienable rights for every citizen.

© Ilija Lukić 2020


                                         By The Dawn's Early Light

Spiritual Showdown

When evil rears its odious, dark mien,

A world enlightened must rise and decry

Its breath of darkness unleashed to demean

And slay good brethren causing hue and cry.

Soon throes of chaos grow beyond the pale,

Beset storekeepers in the early bright

Amid brume shrouding sorrow and travail,

Which stifles breath after malicious night.

I strive to fathom darkling atmosphere

Cast across heretofore undaunted realm

Like prophetic darkness out of yesteryear—

Plagues of locust hell-bent to overwhelm.

Become as little children, free of evil;

Denounce dark hearts and harmful upheaval.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Light Triumphant

Hope Dawning

When chaos reigns I draw courage and inspiration from inner realms. Those parts of my nature where the divine spark resides, where creative ideas take root, where mind and spirit meld, where love reigns supreme and peace is the natural order of the world. These realms are not a refuge. They are gateways to decency in verbal expression, behavior and moral parameters. Here is where hope springs to mind, forgiveness dwells and I hold dear eternal truths that define my essence and way of life.

Want of peace plagues heart

Sunrise hush floods mortal coil

Hope springs eternal

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Ante Meridiem
(Sunrise in woodlands near Bynum NC USA)

Footnote Of History

Using righteous protests over the murder of an American citizen as cover, riotous hordes wreak havoc which tears at the fabric of America. They draw our attention, but how often do riots improve the lives of people? We see riots lead to injuries, death, destruction of property and arrests, yet frank assessment of tensions and underlying causes rarely if ever takes place. Solutions to quell the violence must include understanding that in the heat of the moment rioters are unappeasable. Most importantly, we must resolve to denounce and stop those who incite violence and exploit social tensions for political gain and power. Lest we keep repeating history.

It’s time to come together as brothers and sisters, lest we perish as a ship of fools subservient to ill-intentioned governance and media sowing discontent so as to have our passage on Earth amount to an insignificant footnote in history.

In order to move forward we must firmly acknowledge old grievances and pain, make a checklist of consensus remedies and immediately put words into action. Let’s write a new chapter in our story as a Nation aligned with ensuring our Great American Experiment proclaimed 244 years ago succeeds.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Reveille
(Forest trail near Bynum NC USA)

Infinitude

Make time and ponder infinitude

Revealed to inward eye by earthly spheres

Like vernal pools in woodland quietude,

Thanks to stardust awash in Heaven’s tears.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Contemplating Infinitude
(Self-portrait on launch day of historic SpaceX/NASA manned spaceflight)

Quest Of The Eternal

This afternoon humanity begins a new era of manned spaceflight. The joint SpaceX-NASA launch of Crew Dragon realizes our highest ideals, hopes and dreams as a Nation and embodies mankind’s quest to understand the eternal.

Later in the day I make time for an outing into nature looking to meld intellectual with aesthetic perspectives of the day’s events. I ponder the vastness of the universe with inward eye informed by the essence of earthly realms. Nearby woodlands make ephemeral pools available for said pursuits. They divulge desired creative insight as I contemplate their collections of primordial stardust awash in endless days of raindrops. My heart finds joy in rhythms of the wild while mind comes to know eternity.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Quest Of The Eternal
(Vernal pool in Carolina woodlands near Pittsboro NC)

Goddess Of The Rainbow

As downpour cedes dominion to sunlight,

Rainbow hues make prismatic overtures

Ere goddess of the rainbow takes bold flight

In bright play of light above wet pastures.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Goddess Of The Rainbow
(photo impressionism)