IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY

The tiger stood and looked ahead,
So hot and near collapse,
But then all fear had all but fled
And gone for good, perhaps...
The water's edge was cool and clear,
Inviting him to test
The wondrous stream that had no peer,
Because it was the best...

His chin was dripping as he strode,
His front legs hid from sight
And suddenly joy overflowed
As he filled with delight...
The sun, the stream, together brought
Enchantment all around,
The kind that chills the fiercest thought,
The kind meant to astound...

To think, cool water has the power
To soothe hot pains away,
The body blossoms like a flower
That greets a brand new day...
Thus tigers find they've strong defence,
Cool waters help them through,
Because such streams are faithful friends,
As fresh as morning dew...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'In The Heat Of The Day'.

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-heat-of-day.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

YOUNG STALKER

Snow leopards stalk, sometimes to win,
Averting hunger pains,
Because it's as those aches begin,
No gentle peace remains...
Snow leopards must endure the cold
That Winter always brings
And each new meal's worth more than gold,
Because starvation stings...

No creature's safe from predators,
No matter if they run,
Eventually they come off worse,
Beneath the moon or sun...
It's true, some scatter high or low,
Escaping now and then,
But scavengers run to and fro
To catch their prey again...

Snow leopards have a stubborn streak
So they can wait all day,
Young stalkers play at hide-and-seek,
Regardless, come what may...
With hunger pains forever near,
Snow leopards must persist,
Thus tiny creatures live in fear
Each second they exist...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/young-stalker.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

HOT LIONESS

The lioness was mighty hot,
Determined now to rest,
As if quite rooted to the spot
Where she could most be blessed...
Let others roam their vast domain
And pace both left and right,
For her, there wasn't much to gain
With that hot sun so bright...

So there she was, all golden brown,
With no-one to impress,
Just gently lounging, lying down,
Absorbing happiness...
It's wondrous what the sun can do,
If you've got time to spare,
Beneath a sky that's oh so blue,
To cast off every care...

As long as you can bear the heat,
Turn over now and then,
You'll find your life can be so sweet,
Almost beyond your ken...
The lioness gave no regard
When life was such a breeze,
She joined the poet and the bard
Who contemplate at peace...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

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Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/hot-lioness

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/hot-lioness.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

LAYABOUT

The tiger tried a morning run
To build an appetite,
Then laid down gently while the sun
Shone down with all its might...
Somehow the tiger changed his mood,
Content to stay unmoved,
With less regard for wholesome food
In favour to be soothed...

The mighty tiger feared by all
Was no more king but slave,
No need to hunt, no need to brawl,
As if all power to save...
As if to pace himself midday,
At peace twixt sun and earth,
As if he'd found a place to stay
And contemplate his worth...

To some, he was a layabout,
An idler, nothing more,
Yet even kings are known to flout
The least and strongest law...
So who are we to judge him now,
Like critics who discuss?
Let's let him soothe his furrowed brow,
He hurts not one of us!


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/layabout.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

LONE WOLF

The lone wolf stares with piercing eyes,
Alert to all things close,
His ears aware, so no surprise,
But inner tension grows...
For silence isn't always clear
When predators stalk prey
And snow helps creatures disappear,
No matter, night or day...

The lone wolf paused, as if concerned,
Unable to proceed,
Eyes left, eyes right, till truth was learned
And he felt safe indeed...
Despite his feet both cold and numb,
What facts could he acquire?
His heart was beating like a drum,
Intense as if on fire...

The lone wolf faced such times as these,
As many creatures must,
Who lack the hope and certainties
Communities can trust...
Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers
And families beyond
With each one who helps the others,
Groups form a lifelong bond...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/lone-wolf.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

STARTLED

The leopard cub was startled at
Some noise he overheard,
Unnerved yet cautious not to scat,
Alert and yet not stirred...
To stand and fight or turn and flee?
And yet which path to take?
With only instincts as the key,
What errors could he make?

His mind was now a battlefield,
Decisions swhirling round,
Until more details were revealed,
He firmly kept his ground...
Just one more noise to set him straight
Or spook him left or right
And so he waited on his fate,
To stay still or take flight...

The minutes slipped away real slow,
In silent tedium,
Still not aware of friend or foe
Who might be near to him...
Then all at once a bird flew high,
The cause of such mischief,
The cub then kept a watchful eye,
As he sighed with relief...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/startled-3/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/startled.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

BRETHREN WOLVES

Who was the elder of them both,
These brilliant brethren wolves,
United by a solemn oath
Each family approves?
And who now was more dominant
In stature, strength and guile,
Such things are not proved evident
By just a proud profile...

For both found strength in unison,
As sons of alpha males,
As side-by-side joint battles won
Such that each rarely fails...
Prized predators without a doubt,
Feared by both great and small,
As long as wolves are still allowed
To lord it over all...

The lone wolf isn't quite as brave,
His path more solemn still,
His journey closer to the grave
If injured or if ill...
But brothers aren't just company,
They're soulmates to the end,
Soon alpha males for all to see,
On that you can depend...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.


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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/brethren-wolves/

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Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/brethren-wolves

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/brethren-wolves.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

THE COMPANIONS

Two tigers took their ease at last,
Companions to a fault,
Yet now the hunt and feast had past
They called things to a halt...
Breathe in, breathe out and not much more
But flick a tail or two,
The other creatures to ignore,
For what was left to do?

At times like these, the sun beats down,
Life takes a slower turn
And tigers melt away each frown,
No lessons left to learn...
No fights to fight, just faithful friends,
An afternoon's repose,
Yes, this is how each tiger spends
His time apart from foes...

Two tigers taking in the sun
And watching clouds glide by,
Birds flying high till one-by-one
They've flown across the sky...
With trees still standing year-by-year
And hills both left and right,
Two tigers' hearts were filled with cheer,
Their future looking bright...


Denis Martindale, copyright, March 2013.


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

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

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

Shared on

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Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/the-companions

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-companions.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