Summer's Demise

Give summer leave to steal away with grace

Amid nostalgia etched on mortal heart.

Breathe easy, look at autumn’s mellow face,

Not as summer’s demise, but a work of art.

© Ilija Lukić 2022

Summer's Demise

Autumn Reprise

Chilled autumn airs marked by nary a breeze,

Loose acorn showers from oak canopies.

For wildlife said rhythms hold cherished reprise

Of divine bounty, before the first freeze.

© Ilija Lukić 2022

Autumn Reprise

(Old Rock Spring Cemetery Church, Pittsboro NC USA)

Rocky Serenity

Turmoil plagues hearts, yet

Calm sweeps rocky peace of mind

When autumn hush lulls chaos.

© Ilija Lukić 2022

Rocky Serenity

(Haw River near Bynum NC)

Autumn Interlude

A soul worse for wear longs for breathing space,

While carefree summer days fade in whispers.

What balm can soothe this blessed hiding place

Better than autumn’s dance beside rivers?

© Ilija Lukić 2022

Misty Interlude

(Haw River near Bynum NC)

Free Speech - The Divine Light

Freedom of speech in streams of consciousness

Comes to pass when heart, mind and soul cast out

Crushing fear of rebuke or consequence

And affirm power of choice day in day out.

Discourse thrives when free will’s radiance,

Akin primordial glow in woodland dawn,

Enlightens darkness cast by man’s ignorance

And thus endures as freedom’s unique spawn.

In truth, tree colonnades bathed in divine light

Hearten innermost thoughts, feelings and woes

And in short order their stately theme makes right

Grim notions that free speech draws mortal blows.

Judge not free speech as disobedience

Instead of heaven-sent experience.

© Ilija Lukić 2022

Primordial Light