ARCTIC HERO?

The white wolf appeared the hero
Amid that arctic scene,
Where those temperatures hit zero,
As winds grew strong and mean...
With nought but fur to keep him warm,
He battled night and day,
Despite the bitter cold and storm,
He stayed to hunt his prey...

The hard decisions had been made,
For hunger hurt like hell,
The only way to make it fade
He knew by now so well...
Thus to the strong and to the brave
Were weaker lives bestowed,
When none on Earth was there to save,
When none no mercy showed...

It's just the victors left that boast,
If boasting swelled their pride,
If by such joys they felt engrossed
And conscience gave no guide...
Though Nature gave him teeth and claws,
And cunning ways to plot,
This white wolf chose a silent pause,
Reflecting on his lot...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/arctic-hero/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/arctic-hero

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/arctic-hero/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/arctic-hero.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

SAFE HAVEN

The leopard and her cubs were glad
To find a place so blessed,
Safe haven, waiting to be had,
So much, each was impressed...
A silver stream was bubbling by,
A gentle breeze came close,
No stormy cloud to spoil the sky,
A landscape void of foes...

It was as if time cast a spell,
To magic fears away,
As if to say that all was well,
So just enjoy the day...
And so they stayed, contentedly,
As if this were a feast,
With water bubbling, fancy free,
To calm the savage beast...

Life isn't running here and there,
Or hiding full of fears,
It's days when Nature helps us share
The changing months and years...
I guess it's up to each to choose
To work, or rest, or play,
Yet even leopards like to snooze
When good times come their way...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/safe-haven-6/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/safe-haven-poem

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/safe-haven-6/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/safe-haven.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

SHADY RETREAT...

The tiger in his striped fur coat
As if with hoodie on,
Had sought to find some antidote
Till Summer's heat had gone...
Shady retreat, hello, hello,
Just what he hoped to find,
His face lit up as if aglow,
Just one thing on his mind...

His body slumped upon the ground,
Stretched out like melted cheese,
Yet when at rest, he looked around
And simply felt at peace...
No need to drink, no need to eat,
He savoured all God gave,
As if bestowed by this retreat
That any heart would crave...

In Winter, such a place would serve
A less important task,
For now, no better place on Earth
That any soul could ask...
And so he grinned from ear to ear,
Thanksgiving in his heart,
Just like a human's Christmas cheer
That all too soon must part...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/shady-retreat/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/shady-retreat

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/shady-retreat/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/shady-retreat.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

EARLY LEARNING

The mother and her zebra child
Were eating side by side,
Amid a cool breeze oh so mild
Each met the day with pride...
United in their newborn love,
With tender looks now shared,
You'd think that love was quite enough
For all that life prepared...

Yet early learning teaches things,
That tender looks can't bless,
For zebras have but hooves not wings
To save them from distress...
And while the herd hopes to protect,
At times, it won't succeed,
So early learning helps direct
Young zebras most in need...

It's Nature's way to help enhance
Survival now and then,
Instead of purely random chance,
Depending where and when...
That gentle zebra has no clue
And hasn't even guessed,
Yet it responds to, 'I LOVE YOU!'
And trusts that Mum knows best...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/early-learning/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/early-learning-poem

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/early-learning/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/early-learning.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

ANOTHER JUNGLE POOL

The jungle pool awaited him,
White tiger, tall and lean,
Engulfing him, so sleek and slim,
His black and white to clean...
A dozen frowns at first appeared,
Till he felt sweet release,
His face now soothed from ears to beard,
All tensions brought to peace...

His greyed reflection danced below
Amid the ripples there,
Next to the blue streaks to and fro,
That mirrored clouds mid-air...
What swam beneath he had no clue,
Yet instincts served him well
And thus he stayed, like tigers do,
As Nature cast her spell...

This was his portion to receive,
His chance should he remain,
The gentle coolness to retrieve,
The sunshine's heat to drain...
If he were human he would pray,
Give thanks to God above,
Yet all he did was smile and stay,
For tigers, that's enough...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/another-jungle-pool/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/another-jungle-pool

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/another-jungle-pool/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/another-jungle-pool.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

PRECIOUS!

Yes, it's good to see the candour
The precious Panda shows,
As he aims to get much grander
Each time his belly grows...
For he's quite prone to pause and chew
The bamboo shoots he finds,
It's then there's not much else to do
And that's why he declines...

While on his back, all belly up,
He's like a Teddy Bear
And though he lacks a plate or cup,
He's comfy, without care...
No Mummy saying, 'Sit up straight!'
No Daddy with a frown,
The Panda squats to celebrate
Those bamboo shoots so brown...

He'll choose to chew and chew and chew,
That's just the way he is,
In fact, that's how he grew and grew
With utmost Panda bliss...
While humans diet day-by-day,
He's never thought it strange
To humbly eat his life away...
That's why he'll never change...


Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
painting by Stephen Gayford nb Google-search
gayfordgallery and "Stephen Gayford poetry".

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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/precious-49/

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

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/precious-49/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2014/12/precious.html

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

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 December 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,
NB use zoom-in feature when viewing pictures.

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

http://www.baato.co.uk/stephen%20gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::