School Of Hard Knocks

With insight gained through the school of hard knocks, such dead weights as confusion, misery and misfortune become necessary stepping stones to appreciating peace and contentment.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Life Unchained
(Holly leaves after spring rains)

Fugitive Phantasms

Heavy overcast, whispers of mist and shadowless hush of rain-damp forestlands confuse senses and stir primal emotions. Birdsong and familiar rustle of leaf litter is absent. Gnarly tree trunks come to life and become phantasms in mind’s eye. They mystify reason, arouse awe and sway fascination.

Dusk abides phantasms

Brume bedims treed outback slopes

Plaintive wraith haunts woods

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Fugitive Phantasm

Pixie Dust

Mind’s eye betrays heart

Pixie dust charms vernal wood

Chaos cedes fierce reign

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Pixie Dust

Touch Of The Devine

Rain weighs on mood yet shores up peace of mind.

Amid drenching city, field and woodland,

Drops gladden heart akin sound of steel band

And cause taut circles of life to unwind.

Entice senses with freshly vibrant hues

And damp aromas of pine straw and earth.

Let patch of blue sky signify rebirth

And meadow bathed in sunlight be your muse.

Welcome Nature’s breath in cathedral pines.

Watch her shake loose droplets of Adam’s Ale

And spill as grace across pained mortal brow.

See darksome places gleam, dressed to the nines,

With pearls of rain which bespeak divine tale

Of God’s loving hand in the here and now.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Touch Of The Devine

Life Force

Burst marks birth of light

Age-old dust spins steadfastly

Shadow heeds life force

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Life Force

Sublime Retreat

Chaos reigns supreme

Woods provide sublime retreat

Green mansion stills heart

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Sublime Retreat

Refusing Fear

Of late, trials and tribulations test our patience and endurance as a Nation, while we navigate dark valleys of life in the shadow of death cast by microbes. Make time look deeply into your heart, turn inside out your reservoir of defiance, leave no stone unturned for nothing is more contagious than refusing to live in fear. I shall not be disheartened.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Faded Hugs

It seems forever that we are deliberately behaving contrary to inborn human needs for social interaction in response to fears of infection by a novel microparasite. Although our grandkids and family live just down the street, normally rambunctious, kissy and huggy visits have been separated by backyard fences and downgraded to front porch hellos.

Virtual, social media interactions dim in comparison to good, old-fashioned social media forms of endearment, where people put their arms around neck, back or waist and hold each other closely. We must resist letting fear run amok much longer and insist that humanness rooted in spirituality, reason and common sense prevail. The latter qualities are important pillars of humanity and must not fall victim to undue fear.

Important parameters such as patient zero and origin of the disease, true infection and fatality rates, research-driven vs anecdotal preventive and finally uncertain curative measures remain fluid. There are significant information holes. A collective deep breath as a Nation followed by reasoned actions based on real world circumstances will define our future.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Faded Hugs

Poetry Of Light

Nature provides the palette, light is the paint brush and hearts are the canvas for poetry of light.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Poetry Of Light
(Oxalis striata aka Yellow Woodsorrel or Lemon Clover)

Hristos Vaskrse - Christ Is Risen

Nature's cool morning breath soaked in hazy sunlight fills the chartreuse sanctum of woodlands clad in spring regalia and causes my heart to brim with joy of the Resurrection.

Each year I find comfort in the millennia-old  celebration of Easter and take the opportunity to reflect about my spiritual relationship with God. I invite all people of good will to partake in the celebration and welcome the promise of hope, joy, peace and love it holds to sustain hearts in a world filled with chaos. 

Allow me to take leave with a heartfelt Serbian Easter greeting…Христос Васкрсе…Hristos Vaskrse…Christ is Risen!

© Ilija Lukić 2020

(

Note: Serbian Easter is next Sunday IAW the old Julian Calendar) 

Chartreuse Sanctum
(Path to Old Rock Spring Cemetery Church in Pittsboro, North Carolina USA)

Spring Reverie

Angst inflames passion

Nature supplies perspective

Peace of mind drives bliss

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Spring Reverie
(Cooper in woodlands near Pittsboro, North Carolina USA)

Unfurling Spring

Vernal flush paints breeze in tree canopies

Sounds of creation ring sweet in my ears

Timeless music wrapped in fond memories

Of days gone by beneath celestial spheres.

Unfurling of spring lays bare inner purpose,

Sets free pent-up essence waiting to dance,

Puts an end to reasons for postponed hopes              

And comforts troubled heart in verdant manse.

When spring raises voices in field and woodland,

Let them strike heartstrings akin the Great Bard,

Let them rouse good will and kindhearted hand

To serve humankind from town to farmyard.

Make time to dwell on springtide melodies

And embrace their lighthearted remedies.

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Unfurling Spring

Gate To Eternity

Souls pass pearly gate

Winged host shouts hallelujah

Bliss reigns most supreme

© Ilija Lukić 2020

Gate To Eternity
(Polystichum acrostichoides aka Christmas Fern)