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