LEOPARD!

The leopard listened to each sound,
Aware that prey was near
And it was close, somewhere around,
That much was oh so clear...
And that was why the leopard stood,
So statuesque in wait
And for the prey, that wasn't good
And even now, too late...

The leopard breathed the airborne scent,
It lingered now and then,
The creature there by accident
And yet, no more again...
The leopard was a wily one,
No amateur at all
And unashamed at what he'd done,
Observing hunger's call...

The frenzy came, the prey was caught,
Life draining, no release,
Until it thought its final thought,
Until it found some peace...
But that's the way that some survive,
While others bid farewell,
One dies, the other stays alive,
Each has its tale to tell...


Denis Martindale, copyright January 2016.


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


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

The poem is shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-11/

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

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/leopard-11/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/01/leopard.html


My Poetry website: http://www.denismartindale.supanet.com/poems.html
My Poemhunter poems can be searched here: http://tinyurl.com/dmpoems
as well as on this website for most of these: http://tinyurl.com/dmpoems2

:::
Another option is the poemlist.com website's A to Z poem list:
http://poemlist.com/?mode=poet&id=66780
Shortcut URL is http://tinyurl.com/dmpoems3
:::

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 2016!

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
NB that's for basic displays of Ebay auctions,
but this display of 200 items helps even more:
http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-on-ebay
Better title descriptions and item numbers!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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

(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

http://www.living3000.co.uk/shop/search/?q=Stephen+Gayford+print

http://stuccu.co.uk/so/Stephen%2520Gayford

http://uk.weluma.com/search/?q=Stephen+Gayford&source=searchbar

http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=160_620


:::

POETRY LINKS AND SHORTCUTS

For the Stephen Gayford poetry blogspot website, the top of the web page cookies notice must be cleared from the initial display.

So click OK to reveal the top left SEARCH option eg leopard.

Please note that visitors can now use the https:// URLs here...

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/search?q=leopard

From there, choose Stephen Gayford poems for date or title search results.

The Show All option will help, too.

The search results poems will also be available on the Poemhunter website link for searches, so here's my dmpoems link:

http://tinyurl.com/dmpoems

http://poemhunter.com/denis-martindale/poems/?search=leopard&B1=SEARCH

To assist in accessing Stephen Gayford poems on the Poemhunter website, we need to remember the exact poem title and its extra number if that applies, too. For many, though, there are quite enough of the 600 poems that have the original wildlife painting title.

http://poemhunter.com/poem/ then the title... then the / character to follow...

I created a shortcut version of that part of the website URL:

http://tinyurl.com/gayford

So... now I can use that for any poem on the Poemhunter website, whether it's a Stephen Gayford poem or not...

Consider Leopard Sunset as an example:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-sunset/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/leopardsunset

Blogspot link:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/07/leopard-sunset.html

Now I can link to this Poemhunter poem in this new way:

http://tinyurl.com/gayford/leopard-sunset

as that goes here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-sunset

That's because this poem has no extra number... It's just an alternative way to promote the Stephen Gayford poetry...

It could be useful as an idea for other themes, such as Revelation TV poems:

http://tinyurl.com/revtvpoem/ then whatever title for that theme.

http://poemhunter.com/denis-martindale/poems/?search=Revelation+TV&B1=SEARCH

The dmpoems search for Revelation TV found about 250 poems, including the title for A Tribute To Blake,

ie William Blake, famous for his poem about the tiger...

http://poemhunter.com/poem/a-tribute-to-blake/

or the alternative shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/revtvpoem/a-tribute-to-blake


Denis Martindale, copyright May 2016.

EYE OF THE LEOPARD

Determination serves him well,
Tenacity and truth...
The leopard knows life's weary spell!
He's felt it from his youth.
He must not sleep! His eye must see!
There's danger all around!
This is the price of living free,
Undaunted and unbound.
The leopard loiters, sniffs the air,
His eye looks left and right...
Of every movement he's aware
Through instincts and insight...
Each day's the same, if he survives,
To tread the earth alone,
To hunt in search of other lives,
Because that's all he's known...
His hunger drives him on and on...
Relentless, still, of course...
He hunts until the hunger's gone,
Then feeds without remorse.
His eye has seen so many things
That swim and crawl and fly...
Above him now, a pair of wings
That glide across the sky!
The leopard sighs with envy at
The bird beyond his reach!
If he had wings, he'd make him scat!
What tricks that bird he'd teach!
The leopard looks, then walks his way,
Towards survival's end...
So he can hunt another day,
Unloved, without a friend...

　
Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

The poem is based on the National Geographic
Wild HD details received from Sky Digital for
the September 2009 programme called
'Eye Of The Leopard'. Fully featured on pages
20 and 21 of the September 2009 Sky Magazine!
　
　
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eye-of-the-leopard/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/eyeoftheleopard

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com
　
The framed pictures are bought from these
UK websites:
http://www.bid.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.speedauction.tv
　

LEOPARD SUNSET

The leopard lingered in the sun
Almost at close of day,
With all its hours almost done
And fast to ebb away...
The leopard let his memories
Remind him now and then,
Because he knew each day must cease
When moonlight shone again.

This day had seen new life, new death,
That's how time passes by...
We understand while we draw breath
Until our final sigh...
The leopard knew his time was near,
Just like the sun above,
Yet leopards are not prone to fear,
That's why they still share love...

His cubs were waiting down below,
As he watched like a king...
To see time like a river flow
To outlive everything...
Some day his cubs would watch in turn,
As their cubs played a while...
With each new day something to learn...
Some joy to raise a smile...

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-sunset/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/leopardsunset

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/07/leopard-sunset.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

SNOW LEOPARD, TOO

The sad snow leopard waited still,
Perhaps he'd eat today,
Perhaps find warmth against the chill
That was snow-bound to stay...
The sun arose, yet gave no heat
Enough to melt the ice
And so life wasn't quite as sweet
And hardly Paradise...

But life goes on, and on, and on,
So hope guides daily through
And even when that sun has gone,
Returning with the dew...
That's why this leopard persevered,
A lesson to us all,
Despite the fact that life felt weird
And joy hard to recall...

He was no tiger, strong and brave,
Yet still he stayed alive,
Accepting everything God gave,
In order to survive...
I can't say that I envy him
When I pause to reflect,
Yet he continues, though life's grim...
And that deserves respect...


Denis Martindale November 2016.


Poem based on the magnificent Stephen Gayford
wildlife painting. Google-search phrases
gayford prints and Stephen Gayford poetry
and also for Heaven and Earth Designs...

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/snow-leopard-too/

Shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/snow-leopard-too

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/11/snow-leopard-too.html

http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=160_620


HAED finished pieces gallery:

Please click the link and then click on the left
of screen link for "Show Albums and Stories".

http://s1327.photobucket.com/albums/u678/HAED-Gallery/

Several HAED Fantasy Art artists have pictures
on my website click-a-pic full screen galleries
slideshows, including some wildlife pictures.

http://www.fantasyart.ukartists.com/

:::
:::

LEOPARD WATCH

I saw the leopard watch his world,
No second's thought for me...
Yet angrily his hot tail swirled,
Tensed up, quite anxiously...
He must have sensed he was observed,
But I was hidden well
And though the leopard looked unnerved,
I smiled he couldn't tell...

I made no sound, no sound at all,
In fact, I didn't move...
When you're afraid, you're on the ball,
With nothing more to prove...
So there he was and there I was,
So near and yet so far...
The minutes went so fast because
To me, he was a star!

Distinguished markings, senses taut,
Mouth open, teeth on show...
Determined something would be caught
Before the sun must go...
Then suddenly he saw me here!
He chased me off his turf!
Good God, I've never known such fear!
Must dash! I've seen enough!

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-watch/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/leopardwatch

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/08/leopard-watch.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

LEOPARD SANCTUARY

Some see the leopard as a prize,
A trophy of their own,
A predator, I realise,
Yet men have hearts of stone...
The creatures of this wondrous Earth,
Sometimes have no defence,
Regardless of their harm or worth,
A time for foes, not friends...

The species of this Earth decline
According to reports
And yet Man's options don't prove mine,
Although they're in my thoughts...
While children starve and children thirst,
I must respond in time,
While I do this, Man does his worst,
Extinction's still a crime...

The cheetah, too, is prone to die
And soon to fade from sight,
With barely thousands that get by,
Until that final night...
And tigers, too, must face the fact,
That sanctuary proves rare,
Unless Mankind elects to act,
Like stewards who still care...


Denis Martindale December 2016.


A poem based on a magnificent Stephen Gayford
wildlife painting. Google search phrases
gayford prints and Stephen Gayford poetry
and also for Heaven and Earth Designs...


Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-sanctuary/

Shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/leopard-sanctuary

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/leopard-sanctuary/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2017/01/leopard-sanctuary.html

http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=160_620


HAED finished pieces gallery:

Please click the link and then click on the left
of screen link for "Show Albums and Stories".

http://s1327.photobucket.com/albums/u678/HAED-Gallery/

Several HAED Fantasy Art artists have pictures
on my website click-a-pic full screen galleries
slideshows, including some wildlife pictures.

http://www.fantasyart.ukartists.com/

:::
:::

LEOPARD CUB

The leopard cub that Man could view
Some distance seen away,
Was just another cub, that's true
And yet this made my day...
My camera zoom could catch the sight
That few were meant to know
And what I saw caused me delight
And more respect to grow...

For I observed such detail there,
Each random black spot seen,
Each whisker floating in the air,
The nostrils in-between...
The fluffy ears, the golden eyes,
The cold dark stare ahead,
It somehow made him look so wise,
As if a thoroughbred...

That tight-lipped mouth I'll not forget,
Its sharp teeth hidden still,
Like claws, its secrets to regret,
For these were meant to kill...
Though now, he wouldn't hurt a fly,
The thought far from his mind,
Some day he'd kill, yes, by and by,
Whatever prey he'd find...


Denis Martindale, copyright, April 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

Poem shared here:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-cub/
Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:
http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/leopard-cub/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/leopard-cub

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/04/leopard-cub.html

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

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

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

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:
http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in April 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/

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:

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

:::

SNOW LEOPARD

The snow leopard stared intently,
At all things near and far...
While at times, he looked quite friendly,
You know how wild cats are.
A tiny cat can mew meow
And people say, how cute!
Yet time goes on, then fates allow
That cat to be a brute!

The snow leopard stood serenely,
His paws poised on the pulse...
With his eyes surveying keenly,
As in all leopards' skulls...
While his heart was beating slowly...
His mind was thinking fast.
Though his hunting skills weren't holy,
He didn't look downcast.

Survival favours those that eat
A hearty meal each day,
Enduring both the cold and heat,
Outwitting all their prey.
That's why the leopard had to learn
That patience is the key...
And why, he, too, must wait his turn,
For breakfast, lunch and tea...

Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Snow Leopard'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/snow-leopard/

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

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

THE LOFTY LEOPARD

The leopard climbed the tall, tall tree,
To see his sovereign land,
Believing he was royalty,
As if divinely planned...
As if that tree and land were his
Wherever he may roam,
In ignorance, he smiled with bliss,
Upon each tree called home...

The mountain range lay to the left,
The river to the right
And barring some new act of theft,
His private view looked bright...
Now in his prime, all being well,
He'd find a worthy mate...
Yes, things for him were looking swell,
So good that he felt great...

Strong faith like that, is grand, by gum...
Who knows? He could go far...
I sympathise, old pal, old chum!
Good fortune, rising star...
There's nothing quite like innocence!
Tremendous in its way...
There's nothing quite like confidence!
Good luck with that, O.K.?

Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-lofty-leopard/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/the-lofty-leopard

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/11/the-lofty-leopard.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:

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

HANGING AROUND

The leopard leapt and climbed the tree
He spotted on his way,
Up there, the whole wide world to see,
Time passing, come what may.
The world was hot, too hot to care,
Too hot to walk or run...
The leopard stayed, content to stare,
Now shaded from the sun...
No point in all that stifling heat
Which makes it hard to breathe...
It hardly made his life complete,
As one would first believe.
The leopard paused and settled down
And heaved a weary sigh...
Forgot his speed of great renown,
Fixed on one spot to lie...
Oh, yes, he could get used to this!
Tremendous, quite refined!
He'd twigged this would be perfect bliss,
Outstretched and now reclined!
The leopard looked for miles and miles,
Surveying all he could,
Upon this world of tests and trials
And on his neighbourhood.
To some degree, he ruled it all,
No matter, day or night...
So many heard and feared his call,
In seconds to take flight.
Oh, yes, the leopard knew his place...
The way things had to be.
For now, this peace he would embrace...
Just hanging around, you see...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

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

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

Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hanging-around/
Internet Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/hangingaround

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

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

SNOW LEOPARD, TOO...

Snow leopards can be quite aloof,
Yet I was oh so close,
Determined that I catch the truth
A precious few still knows...
My camera zoom adjusted to
His solemn face alone,
In black and white I caught the view
Of simply flesh and bone...

Yet what I saw that time I clicked
Was more than words could say,
As if I sensed how this cat ticked,
His lifestyle to relay...
For he, like me, could hardly stand
The bitter cold we felt,
Yet only I prayed for this land
And that cold snow to melt...

He had to live without the faith
That hopelessness can bring,
Now gone the courage to be brave...
Believing anything...
Some saints I've met have that look, too,
Devoid of joy within...
To such as these, I say to you,
Stand fast and don't give in...


Denis Martindale, copyright February 2016.

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


The poem is shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/snow-leopard-too/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/snow-leopard-too

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/02/snow-leopard-too.html

POETRY LINKS AND BUYING PRINTS:

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/stephen-gayford-poetry-links.html
http://denis-martindale.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/buying-stephen-gayford-prints.html

:::
:::

SECRET STALKER

The long-limbed leopard stared ahead
With longing in his eyes,
For he observed the prey that fled
From him in great surprise.
The creature panicked suddenly,
Its heartbeat oh so swift,
Chased by the leopard up a tree,
Its mighty weight to lift.

They prey was light upon its feet,
The branches to traverse,
The leopard wasn't quite so neat...
Things went from bad to worse...
The prey went through the lush green leaves
As if it didn't care,
The leopard lingered like all thieves
Who sense when to beware...

The prey was gone, he knew not how,
So he turned round displeased
To make his way across the bough
Because the hunt had ceased...
Through gritted teeth, he slowly made
His way back down to earth...
'Next time,' he vowed, 'I'll make the grade!
I'll run for all I'm worth!'

Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2010.

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

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

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

Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/secret-stalker/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/secretstalker

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

The framed pictures are bought from these 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

SNOW CHILD

The snow leopard mother and cub
Were resting for a while...
In their exclusive private club,
Yet neither raised a smile...
God turned the heat so low again,
That Winter sadness grew...
The Spring would come, yet, when, when, when!?
But neither of them knew...

What leopard counts the passing days,
The suns and moons above?
What leopard's privy to God's ways
Or prays to Him with love?
The humans pray, for they've found faith...
They count the days and weeks...
They've learnt endurance to be brave
To wait until God speaks.

For only then, will Spring arrive,
To melt the snows and ice,
So that the leopards who survive
Will think it Paradise!
At last, they'll see their sorrows melt,
As if they were a dream...
At last, they'll make their presence felt
And form a hunting team...

Their Winter bonds will grant them strength,
Uniting them as one...
The cub will grow another length
To blossom in the sun...
Each creature has its own domain...
Each leopard has its spot...
It needs no lecture to explain,
This life is all it's got...

Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Snow Child'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/snow-child/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/snowchild

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

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

DISTANT MOVEMENT

Snow leopards are quite rare today,
In fact, they're almost through,
Unless Man seeks to pave the way,
To do what he can do...
For now, this creature crouched alone,
On granite rock to poise,
A distant movement was now known,
The leopard had no choice...

For Man had intervened before,
Encroached upon its land,
In ways no leopard should ignore
If it knew what Man planned...
For Man could be its friend or foe,
Be callous or be kind,
Yet how on Earth was it to know
What each man had in mind?

And so each leopard, though sublime,
With beauty from its birth,
Faced unknown dangers all the time
Regardless of its worth...
For Man, the hunter, king and clown,
Called all the creatures his
And even when he let them down
Thought ignorance was bliss...


Denis Martindale, copyright, June 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.
Also search websites for Adopt a Snow Leopard...

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

Poem shared here:

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/distant-movement/

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

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

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/distant-movement

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/06/distant-movement.html

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

My Stephen Gayford tribute poems are here:

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

The Stephen Gayford Gallery website is here:

http://www.gayfordgallery.com

It was being updated in June 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/

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:

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

:::

STEPHEN GAYFORD POETRY LINKS

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/denis.martindale/blogspot-labels-september-2011.html


http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com


To search for a creature or a picture,

visit the blog website and use the

extreme top left blog search text bar.

For the keyword dolphin, you get the URL with

this structure: blog URL then /search?q=dolphin

and for the keywords white tiger it would be

blog URL then /search?q=white+tiger as below...


http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/search?q=dolphin

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/search?q=white+tiger


Here are the Stephen Gayford

picture poems by Denis Martindale.


http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/09/stephen-gayford-poetry-links.html


SHORTCUT:

http://tinyurl.com/stephen-gayford-poetry


This webpage has been added to the

Denis Martindale Profile: My Web Page...


These are the poem and keyword
links as at September 2011...




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ENIGMATIC

The leopard lingered all alone,
At rest for all to see.
With curled-up tail, in mid-air zone,
That stayed there playfully.
Sometimes a leopard finds a spot
Where all seems quite serene...
A wistful part he likes a lot,
To melt into that scene...
Thus time itself slowed down as well,
Life settled to a pause...
In fact, there was no way to tell,
Except the sun, of course.
You see, the sun is prone to move
Across the pale blue sky...
As if it had something to prove,
Yet leopards know not why...
This leopard knew that sleep was near,
He felt it in his bones.
He sensed the sun would disappear,
Replaced by darkened tones.
Then shadows bring old dangers back
And predators that pounce...
When hunters prowl in midnight black,
Survival's all that counts.
For now, the sunshine was his friend...
If he stayed here, static...
That's why his mood was confident,
Cool and enigmatic...
Sunbathers know the peaceful glow
The sun was meant to share.
Why not let go? Just take things slow...
Forsaking every care...

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

SEPTEMBER 2009 POEM UPDATE!

THE POEM WAS READ OUT ON PRICE-DROP TV,
SO MAYBE THOUSANDS OR EVEN MILLIONS OF THE UK
£1 MEGADROP MADNESS VIEWERS HEARD MY POEM!
YES! THE STEPHEN GAYFORD PICTURE WAS SOLD FOR £1.

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

The poem has been shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/enigmatic-2/

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com

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

INTENSITY

The leopard looked with dark disdain
And ever-growing dread.
He sensed this day would bring him pain,
With trouble dead ahead.
A broken twig changed everything!
Of fear, he wasn't fond...
Who knows what fickle fate may bring?
Some creature lurked beyond...
He stared with great intensity,
Alerted and alarmed...
No longer strolling fancy free,
No longer feeling calmed...
How big and bold the danger was
As yet he couldn't guess...
And yet his heart went cold because
One fight steals happiness.
Reverse and run? Too soon to say...
New courage made him wait...
Perhaps this was his finest day
And he would celebrate.
If not, then death was way too close...
For tensions filled the air.
Two predators are vicious foes,
Like devils who don't care...
His claws were poised like daggers gripped,
Outstretched, the fight to win...
Death laughed at him, as from its crypt,
Yet leopards don't give in!
The fight begins! Not one relents!
The fur flies to and fro!
The leopard wins through violence!
His foe turned tail to go...
Alone, the leopard stood his ground...
With such intensity...
And with no other creature round,
He savoured victory!

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Intensity'.
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/intensity-9/

The Gayford poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems or
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2
http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com

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

SUNSET STALKER

The leopard moved with stealth and guile
As sunset loomed above,
Each step was taking such a while
And waiting was so tough...
The stalking made his hunger grow,
Yet failure was much worse,
That's why he walked there, to and fro,
With no time to rehearse...

A gentle breeze was gliding by,
Thus everything seemed calm,
But soon at speed something would die,
Be killed without a qualm...
The leopard knew the sacrifice,
Not volunteered at all,
Survival always had its price,
Something to take the fall...

The sun above had no concerns,
The clouds could not care less,
Another life to dust returns
Some predator to bless...
The leopard chased his victim hard,
Success was his reward
And though some have a low regard,
His future was assured...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2012.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sunset-stalker/

Printer-friendly text version:

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

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/sunset-stalker

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunset-stalker.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:

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

INFANT OF THE SNOWS

Snow leopard cub, just lying there,
At present, all alone,
With no-one else nearby to care
Your bed is made of stone...
With snow a-falling close to you,
How long will you stay warm?
And what on Earth can small cubs do,
If there should be a storm?

Snow leopard cub, just lying still,
Your small white nose so cold,
Do you possess an iron will,
The patience to grow old?
Have you the courage to endure,
The true grit and reserve?
If yes, then may God grant you more,
If you can hold your nerve...

Snow leopard cub, should I draw near?
Have you the will to live?
Is your young heart now filled with fear?
New hope I hope to give...
To wait a while, would that be wrong?
I have some food to share,
Yes, here it is... Eat up, be strong...
Take heart, do not despair...


Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2012.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Infant Of The Snows'.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/infant-of-the-snows/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/infant-of-the-snows/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/infant-of-the-snows

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/09/infant-of-snows.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