denis-martindaleWriter's Blog...Stephen Gayford Poetry: April 2010

Sunday 18 April 2010

INDIAN PRINCESS

The years were kind to the tigress,
Now seasoned in the sun,
So full of spice and specialness,
A prize meant to be won...
She'd find a mate when time decreed,
Till then, the days felt slow,
Until her destiny was freed,
Alone she had to go.
The miracles of life and love
Must first unite in time...
And while the waiting can be rough,
It helps make them sublime.
As long as fate grants its reward,
New life will grace the land...
The tigers' line will be assured
If good luck lends a hand.
Each generation comes and goes
As if it were the first,
Until extinction overthrows
And then it does its worst.
Endangered species may survive,
If Nature takes its course...
Yet if protected, they will thrive,
According to God's laws...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Indian Princess'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/indian-princess-2/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

MENACING

White tigers roam where Man permits,
Endangered even now...
That's why they have to use their wits
Before their final bow...
Extinction's waiting in the wings,
Another cat to claim!
While Man's still doing shameful things,
This world can't stay the same.
As time moves on, the cats die out...
And yet Man doesn't care!
He's menacing without a doubt,
He's this world's worst nightmare!
The tigers look like pussycats
When they're compared to him...
He treats all life like welcome mats,
Whenever he acts dim...
A hundred years will soon pass by...
Survivors, who can say?
For now... look in the tiger's eye...
Today's the day to pray...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Menacing'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/menacing/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

HANDSOME

To think that the adult lion
Was once a tiny thing.
So his mother kept her eye on
This one who would be king.
She knew that he was full of life,
Vivacious, full of fun!
Yet he must learn to conquer strife
And fight until he's won.
No easy street, no gentle road,
No straight smooth path ahead...
For him, there was a higher code,
Just like a thoroughbred...
Each day would be a battlefield,
Pretenders for his throne,
Contenders waiting still concealed
Until they are full grown...
For now he was a handsome beast
With tiny hidden scars...
Aware that others never ceased,
He dare not let them pass...
He met each challenge with a sneer
And then a grisly growl...
Yet knowing he would win and jeer
And hear his loser howl...
It's Nature's way... it's raw, it's wild,
It's life and death, my friend...
No place for those so meek, so mild,
With no thought to defend...
This handsome lion knows his worth,
His offspring know it, too...
His mother knew it from his birth...
A winner through and through!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Handsome'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/handsome-3/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

WHITE MAGNIFICENCE

Imagine one day, if you will,
In some far distant land,
You had to climb a giant hill
And on it there to stand...
Then all at once, you saw the beast,
As calm as he could be...
A regal lion to the east!
His royal majesty!

Exquisitely blessed by moonlight,
Within his robe and gown!
Adorned in pure albino white,
With snowflakes for his crown...
He needs no sword, he needs no shield,
He needs no sage advice...
With all that strength, he'll never yield!
His heart is cold as ice!

I'd watch my step, if I were you...
No sudden moves at all...
Yeah, right! I know what I would do!
I'd run and wouldn't stall...
I've only one life! He's got nine!
I'd soon be on my way!
At some things, I must draw the line!
Good evening and good day!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'White Magnificence'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/white-magnificence/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/whitemagnificence

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

RESTFUL

White tigers haven't much to say,
When flat out on the chin...
'It's been a long, long, long, long day...
I'm pooped! It's done me in!'
So there he was, eyes almost closed,
Quite restful... dozing off...
And now no longer quite disposed
To act as if a toff!
Aristocrats must also sleep,
When into beds they climb...
To yawn again and breathe in deep,
When it's their beddy-time!
White tigers may be very rare,
But they can't beat the clock!
A tiger's eye can stare and stare
Till moonshine it must block...
Tomorrow's just another day,
Who knows what it might bring?
For now the big white cat must lay,
Like any other king...
I've never heard a tiger snore...
I'd never get that near!
But if I did, I'd shake his paw
And scarper, never fear!
By day, to him, I'd raise my hat
And meekly gently bow...
Good night, you furry fluffy cat!
You're not so mighty now...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Restful'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/restful/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

SERENGETI EVENING

The tiger looks a noble sort,
I think that you'd agree.
It doesn't really take much thought,
It's there for all to see.
The tiger smoulders in the sun,
Like marmalade on toast -
His orange stripes so crisply done
To stand out uppermost.
His swishing tail, his piercing eyes,
His rippling muscles, too.
His camouflage meant to disguise,
To do what he must do...
Together, how they all impress -
Both young and old take note.
With tigers, there's no need to guess,
You just look at that coat.
His whiskers twitching up and down
And sometimes left and right.
Each forehead stripe just like a frown,
As if he just took fright.
The tiger looks a noble sort,
Determined through and through!
But sadly, I must now report:
Run fast or he'll catch YOU!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Serengeti Evening II'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/serengeti-evening/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/serengeti-evening

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

BACK TO BACK

Back to back, there stood two meerkats,
Just staring into space,
As if they looked like scruffy brats
Who had no poise or grace...
Yet each meerkat found affection
And mutual respect,
To gaze off in each direction
With peace you can't neglect.
As they leaned against each other,
Just taking in the day,
Were these two father and mother
To little ones at play?
Perhaps they stood there tired out,
Without the strength to move...
Plum-tuckered out to run about
And now stuck in a groove...
Suffice to say, they made me smile...
Life's no long drawn out thrill.
Sometimes you need to rest a while
And just take time to chill...
It's nice to let the world go by,
Watch fluffy clouds sail past...
You'll never hear a meerkat sigh
Who's found true love at last...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Back To Back'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/back-to-back-3/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

EYE TO EYE

I like most elephants I've seen,
I like them, yes, I do...
I like it when they don't act mean,
I like how they swim, too...
I like the way that each one grins,
I like their tusks like nails...
I like their wrinkled leather skins,
I like their swishing tails...
I like it that they look so wise,
I like their marching troop...
I like the twinkles in their eyes,
I like their ears that droop...
I like the way they walk along,
I like their patient grace...
I like it most that while they're strong,
Thank God, they know their place...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Eye To Eye'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eye-to-eye-6/

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

CLOSE FAMILY

Time melts in magical moments,
As if within love's spell,
Each day we can share it with friends,
Before we say farewell...

The cheetahs shared a common bond
Borne of their company
And showed to all that they were fond
Of their close family.
It wasn't fear that brought them near,
But gentleness within -
With those held precious and most dear,
Yes, one's one kith and kin.
They found serenity that day
Beneath that soothing sun,
It thus became the perfect way
To find peace, one-on-one...
The blowing breeze caressed their cheeks
Upon that afternoon
And in that calm, their silence speaks,
Although this must end soon...
For now, they shared tranquillity,
No need for food and drink,
Just simple sweet civility,
Reflection, time to think...

Time melts in magical moments,
As if within love's spell,
Each day we can share it with friends,
Before we say farewell...

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Family'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/close-family/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/closefamily

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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

Tuesday 6 April 2010

CHEETAH VIGIL

The cheetah vigil first began
When hunters searched for game,
With rifles hanging from each man
Until they each took aim...
Then friends and foes were near to death,
As they fell one-by-one,
Upon the ground to fight for breath,
Before their lives were done...
The sound of guns would spook the birds
That settled in the trees.
The elephants were lost for words,
As death crept by degrees...
The orphaned remnant left behind
Escaped while they had time,
With grief still stirring in each mind
At such a ghastly crime.
What magic would men think of next?
What callous acts would come?
The cheetah paused, looked back perplexed,
Like others feeling numb...
Who gave these men the right to kill
For souvenirs not food?
To stand and fire guns at will
In this calm neighbourhood?
The cheetah sighed with great dismay
That chilled his very soul,
Yet kept his vigil through that day
With utmost self-control...
Tenacity can change the heart,
Turn good folks into bad,
These hunters came and wouldn't part
Till they'd got what was had...
From this day forth, the rules had changed,
The cheetah knew that well...
For now, no peace could be arranged
Within this newborn Hell.
The vigilant may yet survive,
Forewarned with time to hide...
To stay the fastest cat alive
Despite the grief inside...

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Cheetah Vigil'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cheetah-vigil/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/cheetahvigil

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 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 SENTINEL

As if he were a statuette,
The meerkat struck a pose,
Without a frown, without a fret,
Serene with upturned nose...
He was like some superhero,
Cape blowing in the breeze,
While he stood firm, looked high and low,
With no thought to appease...
The meerkat was the Sentinel -
The first to raise alarm,
Called on to be reliable,
So others could stay calm...
He was the Captain in control,
The General standing guard,
The Brigadier whose heart and soul
Kept vigil long and hard.
The Sentinel's experience
Helped others take their ease
And through maintained resilience,
He stood steadfast for peace.
One meerkat can make the difference!
A hero through and through...
If he can take a noble stance,
Then why on Earth can't you!?

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

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

Also on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-sentinel-5/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/thesentinel

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 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/

denis-martindale
Writer's Blog...

Stephen Gayford Poetry

Sunday 18 April 2010

INDIAN PRINCESS

MENACING

HANDSOME

WHITE MAGNIFICENCE

RESTFUL

SERENGETI EVENING

BACK TO BACK

EYE TO EYE

CLOSE FAMILY

Tuesday 6 April 2010

CHEETAH VIGIL

THE SENTINEL

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