NGORONGORO BULL

I knew not where he headed to,
That elephant so proud
And yet he strode that journey through
As long as God allowed...
Two tusks a-swinging dead ahead
Reflecting light above,
As on he marched, unwashed, unfed,
As if air proved enough...

His hips swayed left, his hips swayed right,
His tail swished to and fro,
His ears flapped gently with delight,
His trunk just dangling so...
Almost as if he danced along,
No need for music's touch,
With just the rhythm not the song,
Content to stay as such...

No circus show for me to see,
Yet what a sight he was,
That gentle giant's harmony
Thrilled me and all because,
He taught me how to savour life,
Live large and unafraid,
To overcome each fear and strife,
With confidence displayed...


Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/ngorongoro-bull/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/ngorongoro-bull

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/ngorongoro-bull/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/ngorongoro-bull.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

DUCK!

Of all the creatures that occurred
The duck has his place, too
And while he's still a common bird,
Share credit where it's due...
For on a pond, or brook, or stream,
He quacks for all to hear
And because he's living the dream,
His freedom's held most dear...

When children see the duck they smile
And thus affection grows,
Although they laugh at his profile
And stare at his long nose...
He bears no hatred in his heart
And bread makes him your friend,
As long as we can do our part,
He stays right to the end...

The duck seems quite a placid soul,
Content to waddle by,
Then suddenly he takes control
And soars up to the sky...
Can you do that? I wish I could!
I'd join him on the wing!
We'd first survey the neighbourhood,
Then fly off... wandering...



Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/duck-5/

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

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/duck-5/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/duck.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

TIGER'S HEAD

What hopes and dreams dwell in that head
And in that tiger's heart
Beyond the thoughts that quickly sped
Then suddenly depart?
The daily walking here and there,
Fatigue then drowsiness,
The need for him to stay aware,
When hunger causes stress...

Most of the time he hides things well,
Disguising how he feels,
Although he's got a tale to tell,
He's not the sort who kneels...
The silent type, aloof, withdrawn,
A solitary soul,
The kind who rarely looks forlorn,
Maintaining self-control...

But is he lonely day by day
And lonely night by night?
Aware life soon must pass away
Must grant him some insight...
Perhaps a tigress shares his fears...
Who knows if they will meet?
Yet if that gracious day appears,
Their lives could be complete...


Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/tiger-s-head/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/tigers-head

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/tiger-s-head/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/tigers-head.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

WHITE TIGER CUB

White tiger cub, white tiger cub,
I gaze at you with awe,
Yet won't give you a belly rub
Or calmly shake your paw...
I'll show respect for what you are,
Not yet the noble beast,
But what a wondrous superstar,
A miracle at least...

So charismatic, cool and cute,
So cuddlesome and fine
And deserving of each tribute
That praises your design...
Admired from afar and near,
With oohs and ahs for now,
Until the day when you appear
A full-grown king somehow...

Today we see the humble child,
Your twinkling eyes aglow,
The kind of cat that looks quite mild
By those not in the know...
But you possess a legacy
That few of us can share,
But here's the solemn irony,
White tiger cubs are rare...


Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/white-tiger-cub/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/white-tiger-cub-poem

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/white-tiger-cub/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/white-tiger-cub.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

BLACK JAGUAR

Black jaguar... so slim... so sleek,
So dignified a sight,
To me, you're precious, quite unique,
A creature of the night...
When you appear, my eyes set fast
Upon your style and grace,
Yet suddenly I gaze aghast
Upon your hunter's face...

I see the hunger in your eyes,
I know you need your prey
And though I'm taken by surprise,
I won't stand in your way...
Like you, I eat what God provides,
Like you, I must survive,
Like you, each hungered heart decides
Just how to stay alive...

So journey on unhindered by
This mortal man you sense,
Because you'll find no reason why
We two could yet be friends...
I seek no conflict with your kind,
Let's merely co-exist,
Two hunters who must daily find
The meals we can't resist...


Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/black-jaguar/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/black-jaguar-poem

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/black-jaguar/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/black-jaguar.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::

CHEETAH!

The cheetah nestled in disguise
Amid the scenery,
Awaiting still what God supplies
To creatures such as he...
Yet I could see that cheetah's stare
At anything that moved,
The patience that he brought to bear
As hunting skills improved...

Was he alone? I couldn't say,
That's why I stayed alert,
No reason now to walk away
And suddenly get hurt...
My admiration kept in check,
I scanned both left and right,
No other head, no other neck,
No creature taking flight...

And so we waited, cat and man,
Two strangers 'neath the sun,
Obedient to Nature's plan
When hunting must be done...
Then all at once the cheetah leapt,
His dinner had arrived,
Another date with death was kept,
Two out of three survived...


Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2015.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist 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/cheetah-2/

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

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

http://poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/cheetah-2/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2015/02/cheetah.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 February 2015!

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.for-sale.co.uk/stephen-gayford
(Various website sales of Stephen Gayford prints.)


:::