THE STARE

My camera aimed upon his face,
To catch those tiger eyes,
Such that a magic spell took place
And caught me by surprise...
The stare that tiger sent to me
Had mesmerised my soul
And filled me with such mystery
That I lost all control...

I stared at him as he stood still,
So statuesque and proud,
As if we two should share the thrill
And all that it endowed...
Two souls united by his pose,
His poise, his style, his charm,
As if this moment had arose
Yet none should raise alarm...

My camera clicked, the tiger moved,
Then he went on ahead,
How could his picture be improved?
As if to say, 'Nuff said!'
That's why this picture's called 'The Stare'
With looks meant to enthrall,
Because that tiger's soul's right there
And simply says it all...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.

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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-stare.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

SOUL MATES

Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
Lion and lioness,
Thus side-by-side and unafraid,
Portraying happiness...
No growls, no scowls, no random roars,
No bared teeth warnings shared,
No staring eyes, no clutching claws,
Just peace because they cared...

Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
United in their quest,
Together in the sun or shade,
Yet mostly when at rest...
Life's trials were tackled day-by-day
And also night-by-night,
For lions seldom run away
When each one has to fight...

Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
This was their destiny,
Such that from this not one had strayed,
For this was meant to be...
No wonder, then, that peace remained,
Each knew their place, no doubt
And from such wisdom much is gained...
And that's what life's about...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Soul Mates'.

The lion/lioness wildlife painting is online here:

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/default.asp

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=179

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/ProdImages/soul_AG.jpg

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/soul-mates-36/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/soul-mates-36/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/soul-mates-poem

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/soul-mates.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

HOMEWARD BOUND

The elephants were homeward bound
And walked as in a dream,
As if their peace were newly-found,
Content to be a team...
Left-right, left-right, they marched as one,
Slow motion, gently paced,
Beneath God's precious golden sun
They travelled without haste...

No point in charging dead ahead,
When patience was the key...
For that would merely lead to dread,
With great uncertainty...
The little ones among the herd,
Must be protected still,
Such that no troubles had occurred,
Here's hoping that none will...

Just look at how they live so long,
Till pensioners at best
And think of how they look so strong
And then you'll be impressed...
Thus homeward bound, the herd moves on,
From day to day to day...
Until, at last, the last mile's gone
And home's the place they'll stay...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Homeward Bound'.

The elephants wildlife painting is online here:

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/default.asp

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=178

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/ProdImages/home_AG.jpg

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/homeward-bound-18/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/homeward-bound-18/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/homeward-bound-poem

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/homeward-bound.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

THIRSTY TRAVELLERS

When zebras migrate plain to plain
They brave the hunters, too,
These travellers have much to gain
As each one sees it through...
Consider running to and fro,
Attacked on either side,
Then panicked, wondering where to go,
When there's no place to hide...

Such are the burdens each must face
The whole day long, no doubt,
In seeking some great resting place,
Like that's what life's about...
Survivors left to tell the tales
Of how, somehow, they lived,
Despite the fact another fails
And loses life's sweet gift...

Thirsty travellers find the shore,
To line up cautiously,
To face the crocodiles and more
Takes utmost bravery...
Each baptised zebra takes his chance,
With courage rarely known...
In hopes, somehow, the odds enhance
When none there swims alone...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Thirsty Travellers'.

The zebras wildlife painting is online here:

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/default.asp

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=176

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/ProdImages/thirsty_AG.jpg

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/thirsty-travellers/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/thirsty-travellers/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirsty-travellers.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

AMBUSHER

There's always one! Yes, that's so true!
That tiger cub's at fault...
There's always one that must outdo
And won't come to a halt!
The ambusher must bide his time,
Just out of sight in wait...
As if to say he's in his prime,
His ambush to create!

The feisty fiend's on tenterhooks,
He's trembling there with glee,
Convinced like other callous crooks,
'There's no-one who sees me!'
For shame, you naughty so and so!
You scamp, you swallywag!
You rotten rogue, you friendless foe,
No longer playing tag...

You're up to no good, that's the truth,
Obsessed in doing harm,
Your staring eyes serve as the proof,
They've lost all sense of calm...
You ambusher! When will you learn
It's best to be a friend?
But friendship's something that you spurn...
Today and till life's end...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.


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

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

The tiger cub wildlife painting is online here:

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/default.asp

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=171

http://www.osborne-allen.co.uk/ProdImages/ambusher_AG.jpg

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ambusher/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/ambusher/

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/ambusher.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

GUARDIANS OF THE DEN

Behold the untamed meerkats there
Now side-by-side on guard,
As if the whole wide world to dare,
As if all else were barred...
Each stare's just meant to make it clear,
'Clear off, the lot of you!
There's no-one here who wants you here!
So you know what to do!'

Bravado's such a wondrous thing
In ones as small as these,
As if to leave us wondering,
Can they do as they please?
For each one's a tiny meerkat
And not that tall in height!
So who are they, to make us scat,
To scarper left and right?

To you and I, they're not that strong,
Courageous, yes, but weak,
To fight with them would just seem wrong,
Their faces look so meek...
Let's let them be all they can be,
Just visit now and then,
So we can come back soon to see
The guardians of the den...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Guardians Of The Den'.

The two meerkats wildlife painting is online here:

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/default.asp

http://www.osborne-allen.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=177

http://www.osborne-allen.com/ProdImages/gard_AG.jpg


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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/guardians-of-the-den/

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http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/guardians-of-the-den/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/guardians-of-the-den.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

SWEET DREAMS

It doesn't matter what you are,
Lion, tiger or bear,
Or small child wishing on a star,
While at the moon you stare...
If you can't sleep, you'll toss and turn,
You'll hate those sad extremes
And how you'll sigh and fondly yearn
The comfort of your dreams...

Your eyes may droop and eyelids, too,
While your nose breathes in deep,
Yet everything you try to do
Proves not enough for sleep...
Insomnia is what it's called
And it gets on our nerves,
When precious resting time gets stalled,
Is that what each deserves?

Sweet dreams, we say to every child,
Sweet dreams and God bless you!
May all your hopes be reconciled
And not just one or two...
Sweet dreams until the morning's here,
Sweet dreams, no more, no less...
Such that you lose all troubles, dear,
And find true happiness!


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent art sketch
by Stephen Gayford called 'Sweet Dreams'.
It is part of the Christmas Cards set for 2012.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sweet-dreams-61/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/sweet-dreams-61/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/sweet-dreams-poem

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/12/sweet-dreams.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


************************


STEPHEN GAYFORD CHRISTMAS CARDS


We've seen these when sold on bid.tv etc.

The websites for bid.tv, price-drop.tv,
speedauction.tv and pricedropper.co.uk
don't always offer the hi-resolution images.

I checked Google search for this item
and found it on the amazon.co.uk site.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Doffice-products&field-keywords=Stephen+Gayford+Christmas+Cards

The lioness and lion cub image helped me
to see the Sweet Dreams art sketch here:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81326r%2BkNIL._AA1500_.jpg