Light Catcher

Rooted in the human heart and soul is the yearning to leave footprints on the sands of time. Let my shadow be the footprint I leave upon our natural world.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Light Catcher
(Self-portrait Ilija Lukić)

Llano Morning

Waning Moon seeks quiet veils of night
Amid cloud pillows aloft straw seas,
Solo hawk soars into quietudes of light
Ere ball of fire sets ablaze cool breeze.

Rose-colored skies aspire to inspire,
Sunbeams lift pitch dark from cactus spine,
Hush reigns near yucca campaniles afire
Before larks burst into song all but divine.

Trails in mystical brume come to light, alas,

Sunbaked dust whispers of storied tribes,

Horse cultures that rove boundless grass
In steadfast quests of sacred bison herds.

God’s artful fires compel awe and wonder,
Restore hope dimmed by drudgery in life,
Breathe divine remedy into human blunder
And gift serenity to hearts ripped by strife. 

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Llano Estacado Morning
(east of Clovis, New Mexico)

Canary Yellow Dreams

A classic Chevy truck oozes with tales of yore etched across its heroic countenance by Llano Estacado winds, rain and sun. It stands vigil along Highway 209 near Grady, New Mexico.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Canary Yellow Dreams

Chevy Smile

Ghosts

Ghosts of pioneers still roam the High Plains of New Mexico and abandoned farm houses remain favored places of respite and mischief. Weathered and beaten by the harsh Llano Estacado climate they stand as testaments to the indomitable spirit of families which called it home.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Pioneer Spirit (monochrome)
(Near Broadview, New Mexico USA)

Pioneer Spirit

Ghosts

Spirit Animal

Bison bison aka American Buffalo--icon of the West and King of the Great Plains.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Spirit Animal

 

Tasiwóo

Great Plains Royalty

Where The Hawk Flies

In its storied history the Llano Estacado has suffered the fleeting footprints of scattered native American tribes, mile-wide trails carved by migrating buffalo a million strong, treks by early Europeans longing for the Seven Cities of Gold, wagon wheels of white settlers and their plows, steers of cattle barons and most recently pervasive crop circles of modern agriculture. Yet, pockets of the primordial Llano tablelands endure.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Endless Sea Of Grass
(Llano Estacado north of Clovis, New Mexico USA)

Rough-Hewn Rangelands

Where The Hawk Flies

The Hummingbird

She pauses fancy-free midair,
Our hearts touch briefly,

Oh, exquisite single glance.

My soul takes cheerful wing
And gladly joins her flight,

Alas, I whisper, I am set free
By our brief heart-to-heart.

(written for Julie Francois after her amazing encounter with and photo of a hummer in flight)

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Time

Time is a muddy stream
Without genesis or expiry,
Which on its meander
Into the source of eternity
Prevails upon our journeys
Across stormy seas of life
And clarifies our essence.

© Ilija Lukić 2014

Heart Of The Universe