THE LION KING

Two lions fought beneath the sun...
Their teeth as sharp as nails
And when their fight was truly done,
One lion tipped the scales.
The other lion fled the scene
And no more would return.
Though savage, wounded, no more keen
The mightier to learn.
The undefeated lion stood
And watched the loser leave.
He didn't think himself as good
And yet he didn't grieve.
This was their way for centuries,
Their ancient remedy.
Their battles for supremecies
Would end each mystery.
They'd never choose alternatives,
Their code they'd never flout.
No matter if one dies, one lives...
They'd fight to end the doubt.
Thus courage burns within their veins...
Volcanoes borne of rage.
Only the winner truly gains
The right to centre stage.
In truth, the winner takes it all.
The loser has no pride.
Although once mighty, doomed to fall,
Then to be cast aside.
Two lions fought beneath the sun...
For them, it was too late,
For soon, there'd only be the one
Who'd live to celebrate.
Each battle scar that's brought to mind,
Reminds him of this day...
The courage he was forced to find...
The price he had to pay...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'The Lion King'.

My poetry website is http://poem.says.it

The poem has been shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lion-king-2/

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems

The framed pictures are bought from these websites:
http://www.bid.tv (on Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv
http://www.speedauction.tv

ELUSIVE

Elusive is his middle name...
He is so hard to catch.
In fact, this is his claim to fame,
That few big cats can match.
You may find one, or maybe two,
Or three, or four or more,
If you can search the whole day through
And you can bear the chore...
Yet this is when the magic starts,
But then it takes control
And burns a memory in men's hearts,
Each spirit and each soul...
Find your spot, then keep safe distance...
To see him in his prime,
As if he were a noble prince,
With whom to share your time.
Beyond the beauty Nature gives,
Add speed and strength and style.
Once you have seen the way he lives,
Add to these, grace and guile.
Behold his features, how he moves,
The way he interacts,
His hunting skills, as he improves,
According to the facts.
Consider quickly, while you can,
For soon he will be gone...
He does not live as long as Man,
Whose legacy lives on...
Elusive creatures do their best,
Surviving day-by-day...
If what he does, leaves you impressed,
Leave him to live... OK?

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

The poem is based on the magnificent 'big cat' painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Elusive'.

My poetry website is http://poem.says.it

The poem has been shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/elusive-11/

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems

The framed pictures are bought from these websites:
http://www.bid.tv (on Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv
http://www.speedauction.tv

DEVOTED MOTHER

The tigress took her time this day...
Her cub was close at hand
And that was how they chose to stay,
As though it had been planned.
Togetherness brings tenderness,
Life-bonding to and fro.
Togetherness means gentleness
And friendship that can grow.
Together now, not separate,
As if it couldn't end.
For now, the cub looked delicate,
A fragile, feline friend...
The sun looked on with watchful eye,
To glide passed up above.
The tigress seemed to pause and sigh,
To signify their love...
Today's the day these two must bond,
Forever, from now on.
To think of now and not beyond,
When peace has come and gone...
Devotion forms a daily gift
That hovers from the heart
And gives another's heart a lift,
And yet that's just the start...
For love endures, though seasons fade,
As months melt into years...
Love steers the course of plans we've made,
Beyond our doubts and fears.
The tigress tries to do her best -
In all things, she's superb.
If by her love, you've been impressed...
Stand back... and don't disturb...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Devoted Mother'.

My poetry website is http://poem.says.it

The poem has been shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/devoted-mother/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/devotedmother

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems

The framed pictures are bought from these websites:
http://www.bid.tv (on Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv
http://www.speedauction.tv

AWESOME

The awesome tiger walked close by, without a single clue,
For I was hidden, safe and dry and there my wonder grew.
This spectacle that few have seen and lived to tell the tale,
Was so majestic, so serene, perhaps an alpha male...
He strode this Earth as though a king, as if to be obeyed...
As if some tribute I should bring, his wrath to be outweighed.
As if the champion of the chase, instead of random chance,
His every move exuded grace, as if life were a dance.
His stripes were like venetian blinds, like slit slats on his fur.
Up close, they were like warning signs, my death could soon occur.
My body, like a statue, stayed, immobile, locked in time...
The deadliest game I ever played was awesome, quite sublime.
He was the cat, I was the mouse... existing side-by-side.
The aim, of course, was just to browse. My eyes browsed open wide!
His body passed beyond my gaze, his tail swished left and right...
And with that parting of our ways, my heart filled with delight...
It was as if Death knew my name, yet couldn't claim me then!
I know I'll never be the same! Halleluyah... and... Amen!

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Awesome'.
It's part of the Global Collection...

My poetry website is http://poem.says.it/
The poem has been shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/awesome-3/

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems

The framed pictures are bought from these websites:
http://www.bid.tv/ (on Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv/
http://www.speedauction.tv/