A walk in virgin wood gives pause to ponder last echoes of color in leaf litter. After a meaningful existence on the wheel of life, the leaves’ magnificent afterlife sheds light on embracing eternity.
Fated end draws nigh
Wheel of life spins endlessly
Light dims fear of death
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Magnificent Afterlife |
Mind thirsts for knowledge
People cherish pulchritude
Life abides whimsy
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Whimsical Blues ("life imitates art" ... Oscar Wilde, 1891) |
Colorful arrays of Bracket Mushrooms favor the cool, damp woodlands north of Pittsboro NC, where they proliferate on decaying wood.
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Ode To Joy |
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| On Cloud Nine |
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| Treasure Trove |
Just like rainbows after the chaos of tempests, a flood of sunlight across an amber field of grass below ominous clouds renews age-old covenants within our heart to hold dear the good that grows from adversity.
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Beauty In Adversity |
River strums heartstrings
Life draws breath mid soft cascade
Stillness sustains soul
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Peace Of Mind (Lower Haw River Natural Area near Bynum NC USA) |
Tail-wagger stalks birds
Fine feathered flock takes playful flight
Man’s best friend bides time
© Ilija Lukić 2021
When gray skies, chilled airs and daylong rains drive wildlife into shelter, Cooper keeps playful pursuits under pinking skies alive in mind’s eye.
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| Biding Time (Cooper in Mary Holmes Park in Pittsboro NC USA) |
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| Shadow In The Rough (self-portrait at Lower Haw River Natural Area - photo impressionism) |
As Cooper and I meander through mist-laden Eastern Piedmont Plateau woodlands near Pittsboro, North Carolina, I catch a glimpse of a benevolent dog muzzle image on a lichen-covered rock face. I cannot resist a closer look and discover a slug feasting on the lichen. It inches across the surface. Tonight when temperatures drop below freezing with light snow in the forecast, it will surely find a cozy retreat in the duff. Life is good.
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| Life In The Slow Lane (foliose lichen - photo impressionism) |
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| Lower Haw River Natural Area (Bynum NC USA) |
Pained hue and cry pervades beloved homeland.
Displeasure born of widespread malfeasance
Calls for steadfast strength of mind, not glad hand, |
| Eminent Magnificence (Bracket Mushrooms) |
In wordless discourse nature makes known elusive verses of her flawed perfection—cornerstones, that ease mortal coil, enlighten soul and open heart to heavenly bliss.
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Philosphers' Stone |
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| Voiceless Pandemonium |
Lend ear, my friends and let mind’s eye open a portal into olden days.
While gathered around crackling fires in mead halls, Viking storytellers (skalds) fill long winter evenings with fearsome tales of the mighty Kraken. In reverent voice they whisper how this creature of nightmares rises from the depths of storm-tossed seas to loose death and destruction. Even intrepid seafarers tremble in dread of its tentacles sinking ships and crews into treacherous maelstroms of sea waters.
Over the centuries the Kraken and such trials and tribulations fade from human consciousness. However, recent sightings of tentacles in mist-laden Carolina woodlands uphold rumors, that Kraken have abandoned the briny deep in favor of forested realms. They live disguised as mischievous spirits of the wood making their home in aerial roots eager to trip unsuspecting wayfarers. A new legend is born.
© Ilija Lukić 2021
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| Piedmont Kraken |
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| Woodland Terpsichorean (Aerial roots) |
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| Indomitable Realists (Narcissus jonquil aka Jonquil or Brush Daffodil) |
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
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| Ghost Of Bison Past (photo impressionism) |
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
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| Old Man Winter |
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.
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| Ghosts Of Lifetime Past |
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| Choosing Oblivion |
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| Swan Song |
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
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| Peace Of Mind (Cooper on woodland trail near Pittsboro NC USA) |
