MAKING A SPLASH!

'Are we there yet?' the calf inquired,
As elephants would ask,
That walk so long their feet get tired,
As if too much to ask...
But then the water made him stare,
He ran and splashed with glee,
As if there's nothing to compare,
'This is the life for me!'

The older elephants agreed,
With twinkles in their eyes,
The water helped fulfil their need,
That came as no surprise...
But that young calf splashed up and down,
He thought life was sublime,
With squishy mud so moist, so brown,
He had a swell old time!

And then he laid flat like a king,
Devoid of pains and fears,
Content to stay, not do a thing,
Surrounded by his peers...
I watched them all, a distant friend,
No harm had I in mind,
For I was glad to comprehend
Their Shangri-La to find...


Denis Martindale, copyright July 2016.


A poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting
by Stephen Gayford. Google-search phrases
gayford prints and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/making-a-splash-2/

Shortcut:
http://tinyurl.com/making-a-splash-poem


Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/making-a-splash-2/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/07/making-splash.html

:::
:::

WAIT FOR ME!

The elephants were walking on,
The calf was last in line,
He turned around before they'd gone
And said, 'Well, that's just fine!'
They'd never said a word as such,
Just up and went and left,
Without a thought to stay in touch,
That's why he felt bereft...

Poor thing! My word, he looked surprised!
'Well, that's a fine to do!
It's good that I soon realised!
I'd not do that to you!'
They lumbered on and kept ahead,
Yet his feet were quite small,
Despite the speed at which he sped,
Which wasn't fast at all...

That's when he bellowed, 'WAIT FOR ME!'
That's when they each looked round,
Who made that noise? They stopped to see,
It was the strangest sound!
'Don't fret, dear child! You passed the test!
You let your voice be heard
And we're so proud you did your best!
Now, not another word...'


Denis Martindale, copyright June 2016.


A poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist Stephen Gayford. Google-search for
'Stephen Gayford prints' and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/wait-for-me-28/

Shortcut:
http://tinyurl.com/wait-for-me-poem
and

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/wait-for-me-28/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/06/wait-for-me.html

:::
:::

THIRST QUENCHER THANKSGIVING

I saw parched zebras on the move
Beneath the midday sun
And knew each drink would help to soothe
The throats of every one...
The young and fit, the old and weak,
The foolish and the wise,
Yet in such thirst no soul's unique,
Just find what God supplies...

The water may be near or far,
Yet only time will tell,
Survival's like a guiding star,
Just like a wishing well...
Without good luck for such as these,
How long could each stay strong?
That's why the zebras felt unease,
The signal something's wrong...

And yet today's their lucky day,
Their journey meets reward,
Yet zebras know not how to pray,
So they can't praise the Lord...
Yet we're all human through and through,
With hearts that learn to love,
So let us pray, 'Lord, we thank You,
For blessings from above...'


Denis Martindale, copyright, May 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford+poetry

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/thirst-quencher-thanksgiving/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/thirst-quencher-thanksgiving

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/thirst-quencher-thanksgiving/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/05/thirst-quencher-thanksgiving.html

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/stephen-gayford/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/the-prince-of-prints-2/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/a-brush-with-genius/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/gayford-gallery/

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in May 2015!

http://gayfordgallery.com/the-artist/

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video

Click-a-pic!

http://gayfordgallery.com/original-paintings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalwatercolours/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalpencildrawings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/signedlimitededitionartistproofs/

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
(that's for the A to Z title listings)

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/stephen-gayford
http://www.amazon.co.uk
http://www.preloved.co.uk
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford
http://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/stephen+gayford
(Notice camera link to each image to view.)

http://www.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)

http://xxl-sale.co.uk/search/?q=Stephen+Gayford+signed
(Notice similar items at the end of each webpage.)

http://www.bezoon.co.uk/stephen-gayford-prints

http://www.saleclick.co.uk/Stephen+Gayford+Prints

http://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?query=Stephen+Gayford&categoryurl=&search-right=

http://salemagic.co.uk/Stephen%20Gayford

http://uk.picclick.com/Art/Prints/Contemporary-1980-Now/Limited-Editions/?q=stephen+gayford

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/picclick-gayfords


:::

ATTENTIVE, TOO

Two elephants were side by side,
Attentive to their needs,
The larger one was tall and wide
And that is why she leads...
The baby of the family
Saw big legs everywhere,
Yet each belonged to those that see
He lived without a care...

That little one had much to learn,
With many years ahead,
Sometimes new dangers to discern,
Sometimes to softly tread...
Sometimes to trumpet loud and proud,
Sometimes a tender touch,
Sometimes to stare up at a cloud
And wonder oh so much...

Attentive to each other's ways,
Their changing moods through time,
Rewarding those deserving praise,
When each one proved sublime...
Such are the choices each must make
Preserving harmony,
Avoiding every old mistake,
Yet living fancy free!


Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford+poetry

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/attentive-too/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/attentive-too

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/attentive-too/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/04/attentive-too.html

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/stephen-gayford/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/the-prince-of-prints-2/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/a-brush-with-genius/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/gayford-gallery/

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in April 2015!

http://gayfordgallery.com/the-artist/

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video

Click-a-pic!

http://gayfordgallery.com/original-paintings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalwatercolours/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalpencildrawings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/signedlimitededitionartistproofs/

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
(that's for the A to Z title listings)

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/stephen-gayford
http://www.amazon.co.uk
http://www.preloved.co.uk
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford
http://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/stephen+gayford
(Notice camera link to each image to view.)

http://www.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)

http://xxl-sale.co.uk/search/?q=Stephen+Gayford+signed
(Notice similar items at the end of each webpage.)

http://www.bezoon.co.uk/stephen-gayford-prints

http://www.saleclick.co.uk/Stephen+Gayford+Prints

http://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?query=Stephen+Gayford&categoryurl=&search-right=

:::

GIRAFFE!

Young giraffes can feel unhappy,
With their Mums oh so tall:
Mum's always looking down on me,
Because I'm oh so small...
It can't be right that she's up there,
With tiny me down here!
That's why I think that life's unfair!
Her legs fill me with fear!

I could be trod on every day!
I keep safe distance now!
And I intend to stay O.K.
So that I don't shout OW!
My tiny tootsies I'll protect
Till I grow up at last,
When that time comes I'll get respect!
That day can't come too fast!

I love my Mum! She loves me, too!
But oh the things she's done!
You don't know what she's put me through!
You see, she weighs a ton!
She's like my uncles and my aunts,
Their eyeballs way too high!
Safe distance! That's my only chance!
Till we see eye to eye!


Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford+poetry

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/giraffe-5/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/giraffe-poem

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/giraffe-5/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/04/giraffe.html

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/stephen-gayford/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/the-prince-of-prints-2/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/a-brush-with-genius/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/gayford-gallery/

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in April 2015!

http://gayfordgallery.com/the-artist/

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video

Click-a-pic!

http://gayfordgallery.com/original-paintings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalwatercolours/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalpencildrawings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/signedlimitededitionartistproofs/

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
(that's for the A to Z title listings)

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/stephen-gayford
http://www.amazon.co.uk
http://www.preloved.co.uk
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford
http://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/stephen+gayford
(Notice camera link to each image to view.)

http://www.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)

http://xxl-sale.co.uk/search/?q=Stephen+Gayford+signed
(Notice similar items at the end of each webpage.)

http://www.bezoon.co.uk/stephen-gayford-prints

http://www.saleclick.co.uk/Stephen+Gayford+Prints

http://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?query=Stephen+Gayford&categoryurl=&search-right=

:::

MOTHER AND CALF

When elephants walk so gently
Upon their chosen path,
Should Man forget the harmony
Shared by mother and calf?
Ignoring peace and joy and love,
Forsaking common good,
As if Man stands supreme above
Within this neighbourhood?

Has Man the right to separate,
For ivory and more,
Two happy hearts that celebrate
With feelings that outpour?
To steal away the light of day
That these blessed eyes have seen,
Like hunting's just a game to play
And nothing short of mean?

Endangered species bear the cost
When Man encroaches near,
When Man all self-control has lost
And life's no more held dear...
What's next, when all the hunting ends,
With elephants all dead?
Will Man build robot elephants
In future times ahead?


Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2015.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford+poetry

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/mother-and-calf/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/mother-and-calf

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/mother-and-calf/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/01/mother-and-calf.html

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/stephen-gayford/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/the-prince-of-prints-2/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/a-brush-with-genius/
http://poemhunter.com/poem/gayford-gallery/

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in January 2015!

http://gayfordgallery.com/the-artist/

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video

Click-a-pic!

http://gayfordgallery.com/original-paintings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalwatercolours/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalpencildrawings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/signedlimitededitionartistproofs/

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
(that's for the A to Z title listings)

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/stephen-gayford
http://www.amazon.co.uk
http://www.preloved.co.uk
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

BIG TROUBLE!

Two rhino calves looked mighty small
Next to their parent there,
Such that they hoped they'd be as tall
And make the others stare!
It's hard to see a rhino smile,
Who knows the mood they're in?
And who's to stay around a while
To see if it will grin?

The two calves walked quite gingerly
Around the heavyweight,
Not boisterous, full of jollity,
The risk was far too great...
Their parents sense this must be so,
No sudden moves that fright,
Just gently, gently... somewhat slow...
No matter, day or night...

Yet somehow tenderness gets shown
Within the group they form,
Such that among them all it's known,
Emotions that feel warm...
And humans, too, should copy this,
Allow some space between,
Yet still maintain that share of bliss
That none should intervene...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent painting by
Stephen Gayford, nb Google search gayfordgallery.

Find more wildlife poems using Google search
for the search phrase Stephen Gayford poetry.


https://www.google.co.uk/#q=Stephen+Gayford+poetry

The bid tv twitter website update here links to my
http://www.poemhunter.com poetry, nb over 400 poems:

https://twitter.com/bidtv/status/2016992586?screen_name=bidtv
https://mobile.twitter.com/bidtv/status/2016992586?screen_name=bidtv

Love Stephen Gayford? Here is a link to poetry inspired by
Stephen Gayford's prints -written by one of our customers.

http://bit.ly/16jh3o

9:41 p.m. Wed, Jun 3

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it


Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/big-trouble-2/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/big-trouble-2/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/big-trouble-poem

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/03/big-trouble.html


The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in March 2014!

http://gayfordgallery.com/the-artist/

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video

Click-a-pic!

http://gayfordgallery.com/original-paintings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalwatercolours/

http://gayfordgallery.com/originalpencildrawings/

http://gayfordgallery.com/signedlimitededitionartistproofs/

:::

Previous links:

Update: My poem, 'An Ode To Stephen Gayford'
is featured in the website's News Section!

http://www.gayfordgallery.com/news.htm

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites:

http://www.bid.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

:::

THE JOURNEY HOME

The elephant was on her way,
Her calf was close nearby,
You should've seen their bodies sway,
Both marching, heads held high!
'Keep up with me! Left, right! Left, right!'
The calf was telling Mum,
The two of them were quite a sight,
Since so far had they come...

For many miles, the calf endured,
Without a thought to stop,
But Mum, of course, was quite assured,
His legs would flip and flop...
His trunk would droop and trail the ground,
His pace no longer fast,
With barely strength to make a sound,
As even more miles past...

And sure enough, she heard those words,
That parents often get...
The journey home, it's for the birds!
'Hey, Mum, are we there yet!?'
'A few miles more!' she told him straight...
He moaned and groaned, of course...
It's just right then, though life was great,
He'd rather be a horse!


Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2012.

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'The Journey Home'.

More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-journey-home-10/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/the-journey-home-10/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/the-journey-home-poem

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-journey-home.html

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

Youtube video: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordgallery-dot-com-video


Update: My poem, 'An Ode To Stephen Gayford'
is featured in the website's News Section!

http://www.gayfordgallery.com/news.htm

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

poemhunter.com links:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2

blog website links:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites:

http://www.bid.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.speedauction.tv
http://www.pricedropper.co.uk
http://www.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

SUN FACTOR 30

Beneath the sun that shone above,
The elephants and calf
Stood close together, blessed by love,
As they walked on their path...
To them, the sun was light and heat,
Their friend along the way,
Somehow it made their lives complete,
All the livelong day...

They knew the sun felt tired, too,
Though it seemed Heaven sent...
As like a bird it slowly flew,
As on its way it went...
The same direction, side-to-side,
So patient, yet so strong...
To them, a constant faithful guide
That never steered them wrong...

Beneath the sun that shone above,
The calf would grow and grow...
One day, he would be tall enough,
With two long tusks for show...
Till then, his Mum and Dad stayed close,
As proud as proud could be,
To watch him blossom like the rose,
Their son for all to see...

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2011.

My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Sun Factor 30'.

More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sun-factor-30/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/sunfactor30

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/07/sun-factor-30.html

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

Update: My poem, 'An Ode To Stephen Gayford'
is featured in the website's News Section!

http://www.gayfordgallery.com/news.htm

There's also a Guest Book!

http://users2.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g25-52612-21

The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:

http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com

Framed pictures can be bought from UK websites:

http://www.bid.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.speedauction.tv
http://www.pricedropper.co.uk
http://www.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24