IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, TOO

My word, white tigers look so fine,
Yet this one looked worn out,
Flat out, as if he must recline,
No more to stroll about...
His eyelids lowered to his nose,
His every breath controlled,
His sense of peace replaced his woes,
Despite now feeling old...

He opened up his eyes again,
Looked at the world once more,
And suddenly, right there and then,
He knew what life was for...
To learn your place, your destiny,
Beyond the times of youth,
To gain a precious clarity,
A foretaste of the truth...

And in the valley, there, below,
Some tiger cubs played on,
In years to come, each one would grow,
Then die when life had gone...
Yet now he smiled, his heart transformed
In this, his interlude,
You see, through them, his heart was warmed,
With hope and strength renewed...


Denis Martindale February 2017.


A 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/it-s-been-a-long-day-too/

Shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/its-been-a-long-day-too

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2017/02/its-been-a-long-day-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/

:::
:::

ENCHANTED!

The first white tiger ever seen
Was quite a while ago,
Yet, from then on, Mankind was keen
To let the whole world know...
And while its numbers are quite small,
It's famous far and wide,
Its beauty still enchants us all,
For this, the Lord supplied...

To some, the Bengal Tiger's great,
Though it's not black and white,
That first white tiger turned up late,
But, boy, was he a sight!
When decades passed, I saw one, too,
Yet doubted for a while...
But suddenly, it filtered through,
That's when I chose to smile!

But don't think I approached real close,
I kept right where I was,
No point to pat him on the nose,
No need to make him cross...
I took some pictures, left him there,
Praised God, then walked away...
Next year, I saw a Panda Bear,
That really made my day!

Denis Martindale December 2016.


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


Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/enchanted-22/

Shortcut:

http://tinyurl.com/enchanted-poetry

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2016/12/enchanted.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/

:::
:::

WHITE TIGER!

I looked intently at his eyes,
So blue and yet so pale,
As if I scanned the distant skies
Before a storm or gale...
And that pink nose of his stood out
Between his whiskers there,
That sourpuss could really pout,
As if designed to glare!

He made me glad that I could smile,
To loudly laugh and grin,
To thus enhance my own profile
And showcase what's within...
But all he did was sit and stay,
To flick his tail and such...
As if he had nothing to say
And didn't think too much...

But when he stood and walked ahead,
My word, he looked a sight!
I felt a sudden sense of dread
And ran with all my might!
I saw no need to stick around,
I've other things to do!
With smaller cats still to be found
And safer ones to view!


Denis Martindale, copyright April 2016.


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

Poem shared here:

http://poemhunter.com/poem/white-tiger/

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

Printer-friendly text version, nb increase text size:

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:::
:::

SURVIVAL INSTINCT!

White tigers know a thing or two,
Their senses are quite keen,
But then it's knowing what to do,
Stay still, serene or mean?
The adult tiger knew much more
Than that small cub that day
And yet how could each one ignore
When fear won't go away?

The cub had everything to lose,
Perhaps with no way out,
With faith the instinct left to choose
To overcome its doubt...
For adult tigers do their best
When instinct tells them to
And so the cub its fear suppressed,
Believing they'd get through...

The safest place was there and then,
No running off alone
And just like counting upto ten
Helps courage to be shown...
This time, the danger gently past,
This time, to disapppear...
This time, no need to stay downcast,
This time, the coast was clear...


Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2013.


A second poem based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Instinct'.


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

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


Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/11/survival-instinct.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.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

SPECIAL PAIR

With two white tigers on patrol,
Their land was safe indeed
And so today was like a stroll
Where sunshine hours might lead...
A time to let their tails swish free,
Less tense than times before,
As if they felt with certainty
That each one knew the score...

A special pair to some of us,
If we esteem their kind
And count such beauty as a plus
When tigers come to mind...
Yet there are those that give no thought
To creatures such as these,
Regarding wildlife as a sport,
They do just as they please...

How long white tigers still remain
Is anybody's guess,
The greater good may yet restrain
To grant some happiness...
Man ought to pray white tigers lived
Than hurt a single one,
So each of these can be God's gift
Beneath a golden sun...


Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2013.


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


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/special-pair/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/10/special-pair.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.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

JUNGLE PHANTOM!

A lone white tiger strolled along,
Exploring far and wide,
A mighty creature, oh so strong,
So difficult to hide...
With swishing tail now raised above,
As if the world were his,
So nonchalant, as if in love,
A sight not hard to miss...

As if to say, he'd got it made,
No fear of what could hurt,
No need to run as if afraid
Till something strange occurred...
Yet Man was but a mile away,
Oblivious indeed,
Till Man walked near upon that day
And saw this wondrous breed...

White tigers from that day esteemed,
Regarded as sublime,
The likes of which remained undreamed,
Until this chosen time...
A jungle phantom first observed,
A miracle of grace,
A precious gem like one unearthed
That now has pride of place...


Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2013.


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


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/jungle-phantom/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/jungle-phantom/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/jungle-phantom

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/09/jungle-phantom.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.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

INSTINCT

White tigers, wondrous as they are,
Survive as best they can,
Yet instinct only goes so far,
So parents need to plan...
That's why white tigers still exist,
Just recently made known,
That's why we hope they will persist,
Their hunting skills to hone...

They've found their place in Nature now,
Esteemed by Man as well,
Protecting while he can allow,
So they've their tale to tell...
With families that roam the land,
The young cubs still to train,
While Man provides a helping hand,
Come sunshine or come rain...

Consider instinct just the start,
The guiding force inside,
In matters of the head, the heart,
So wisdom is supplied...
If not for instinct, senses fail,
No matter, great or small,
No matter, if male or female,
It helps us, one and all...


Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2013.


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


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/instinct-13/

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/09/instinct.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.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY...

Oh, the white tiger was weary!
His tootsies throbbed and throbbed...
Though white tigers don't get teary,
He almost sighed and sobbed...
He asked, How long will this day last?
He hoped it would end soon,
Because he knew when it was past,
He'd sleep beneath the moon...

The day went on and on and on...
He had to have a rest!
He couldn't wait till it had gone,
Though anger he expressed...
He hadn't learnt to pace himself,
That's why there was no doubt,
He wasn't in the best of health,
He was plum-tuckered out!

His heavy head matched heavy heart,
He yawned, as tigers do,
The doziness began to start,
Eyes closing to the view...
And minutes later, tootsies soothed,
He gladly said, Goodnight...
And thus, for hours, hardly moved,
Contented to sleep tight...


Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2013.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'It's Been A long Day II'.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/it-s-been-a-long-day/

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Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/its-been-a-long-day

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/08/its-been-long-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

JUST THE TWO OF US

The two white tigers looked so cute,
Within their comfort zone,
As if each other stayed astute,
Protective of their own...
Such partnerships, of course, are rare,
White tigers are quite scarce,
No wonder, then, some folks take care,
White tigers have such class...

If conservation saves these, too,
White tigers will be safe,
For now, they're just a precious few,
Though each of these is brave...
It isn't just the fragile lives
That humans must protect,
We hope each tiger still survives,
Not one we dare reject...

While numbers dwindle year-by-year,
Protected species roam,
As long as humans hold them dear,
Preserving every home...
That's why such creatures still exist,
Find some peace now and then,
Yet truly folks who don't persist
Won't see their like again...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Just The Two Of Us'.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/just-the-two-of-us-10/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/just-two-of-us.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

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

White tiger eyes are prone to stare
At creatures all about,
Then he saw me and froze right there,
Just gazing, full of doubt...
It wasn't that I'm beautiful,
Or that I'm highly praised,
Or that, to him, I'm wonderful...
He just stood there... amazed...

Was it my camera or my hat
That made him stare at me?
Or something else that made that cat
Stay still and not to flee?
I'm not a six-foot gentleman,
Yet I stood up, of course,
The tiger didn't know God's plan
Meant me tall as a horse!

Was I the first man that he'd seen
Of all the human race?
The very first to intervene
As if I owned the place?
My camera clicked and caught him well,
That photo's on my wall,
My only trophy left to tell
He hadn't seen it all...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Up Close And Personal'.

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/up-close-and-personal.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

SLEEP TIGHT

The two white tigers laid flat out,
Fatigued yet still awake,
Yet even tigers cannot flout
The need to take a break...
And so they breathe much deeper still,
Give way to thoughts they think
And gently glide and overspill
Upon the very brink...

Their eyelids lower even more,
To flutter now and then,
While striving yet to keep the score
For 'Who? How? What? Where? When?'
Then both are done... it's sleepytime...
For them, no turning back,
They slink towards their dreams sublime
And everything turns black...

To think, white tigers are quite few,
Endangered, truth to say,
How many left? I've got no clue,
Yet maybe less today...
And while their beauty makes us stare,
Perchance to hold them dear,
If we should lose the will to care...
White tigers disappear...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.


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

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


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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sleep-tight-6/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/sleep-tight-6/

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/sleep-tight.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

SILENT VIGIL

White tigers are conspicuous,
They stand out from the crowd!
So not to be ridiculous,
They're silent and not loud...
That's why they stare and sit and stare
Or lay and stare awhile...
So other beasties aren't aware
Of such a high profile...

White tigers can get bleary-eyed
If they lounge there too long
And yet take such things in their stride,
Although they know it's wrong...
To compensate, they walk about,
To stretch their legs and such,
Then they lie down, with paws stretched out,
But then, they don't do much...

White tigers have been known to roar,
Then watch the others run!
White tigers snigger, laugh, guffaw,
When things like that are done!
Their silent vigils that were here
Soon disappear, God knows...
It makes their day to instil fear,
The naughty so-and-sos!


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2012.

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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/07/silent-vigil.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

TENTATIVE

True beauty seems, of course, quite rare,
Somehow that's meant to be,
The tentative white tiger there,
He's untamed, fancy free...
To me, that tiger's all alone,
His wits his own defence,
To most, a giant now full grown,
No others as his friends...

The world he walks, that's all he knows,
His land both night and day
And every single place he goes
Is merely on his way...
Yet now, beside the water's edge,
A new world gets revealed,
He's tentative without knowledge,
Yet seeks what lies concealed...

In time, this world will be his, too,
His second home, to speak,
His special place, forever new,
Each visit quite unique...
To him, the water's wonderful,
True beauty all the time,
Sensational and sensual,
So fluid and sublime...


Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2012.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tentative/

Printer-friendly text version:

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/06/tentative.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

FOREST TRACKER

White tigers track the forest floor,
Like this one did one day,
Steadfast and with his tightened jaw,
He went along his way...
Sometimes to pause and listen well,
Then one step at a time,
To catch a glimpse, some sign to tell,
To perpetrate his crime...

The villain of the piece was he,
Of that there was no doubt,
Though just a stroll it seemed to be,
Watch out! Watch out! Watch out!
I wouldn't snap a twig or two,
If I were walking near,
In fact, I think I'd be like you,
Just paralysed with fear!

I'd watch that tiger walking past,
While I stood still unseen...
If he saw me, then I'd run fast,
'Cos tigers can get mean!
For now, he's like some cuddly cat,
Ol' Blue Eyes, all alone...
And yet, please don't be fooled by that,
You see, he's fully grown!

Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2012.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/forest-tracker/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/forest-tracker/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/forest-tracker

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/02/forest-tracker.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

WHITE TREASURES

White tigers like their privacy,
It keeps their young cubs calm,
There's nothing like tranquillity
To ease off thoughts of harm...
Their blood flows at a gentle pace
In neighbourhoods serene
And pretty soon they like the place,
As if they've always been...

It's no surprise that parents feel
The need for some reprieve,
Some solitude, some time to heal,
Yes, even if it's brief...
Some call these golden moments yet
They're worth much more than that!
It's very hard to purr and fret,
It's true, ask any cat...

White tigers should be left alone,
To wind down, tails at rest,
To find a peace that's rarely known
Is how best to be blessed...
Don't say a word or point your hand,
Just crouch down and observe...
But if they chase us, quickly stand...
And run for all you're worth!

Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2012.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'White Treasures'.
Found on http://www.gayfordgallery.com/

More Stephen Gayford poems here:

denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/white-treasures/

Printer-friendly text version:

http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/denis-martindale/white-treasures/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/white-treasures

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2012/02/white-treasures.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

IN DEEPEST SHADOW

White tigers live until their time,
Yet, uptil then, behold...
For each was born to look sublime,
Like silver, not like gold...
The Bengal tigers aren't like these,
Black stripes against the white...
As if created just to please,
Inspire and delight...

There's such a blessing in their eyes
That stare with topaz blue,
Like tanzanite or pale sapphires
Each time they look at you...
Respect for them just grows and grows,
As if that's meant to be...
Not that you'd want to stand too close,
To gaze on royalty...

Behold the magic that they cast,
In deepest shadow's spell...
As dusk approaches till it's past
And daytime bids farewell...
Beneath the moon, their eyes shine on,
Like beacons in the night!
Until the next day's sun has shone,
Revealing black and white...

Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2011.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'In Deepest Shadow'.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-deepest-shadow/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/in-deepest-shadow

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-deepest-shadow.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

WHITE WATER

The white tiger went on his way
To where he had to go,
He'd suffered the heat of the day,
Now sought where waters flow...
And oh what joy as he walked in,
What wholesome sweet relief,
As cooling water soothed his skin...
Pure joy beyond belief...

With gentle grace he swam a while
And ripping waters trailed
As if with magic to beguile...
Each time, it never failed...
There was a certain mystery,
A miracle at least,
A wistful end to misery
That soothed this savage beast...

And when his blood was cool once more,
It now was time to leave...
And so he swam to walk ashore,
The heat no more to grieve...
White water comes from waterfalls
Then flows into a stream...
And to this day, he still recalls
God's gift as though a dream...

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/white-water/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/07/white-water.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

SILENT WATERS

The wise white tiger eased his way
Through the silent waters
And with such stealth he proved that day
Just how much he taught us...
For he was such a wily soul,
With cunning so sublime,
Content to maintain self-control,
Content to take his time...

The minimum of noise was made
As he swam dead ahead,
Yet then with gentle paws to wade,
As if a thoroughbred...
Determination drove him on
Towards his destiny...
Another life would soon be gone,
Who knows what it could be?

For now, there were no sudden thrills,
He drifted like a log...
The silence helped his hunting skills,
As if he were a dog...
Yet no dog stared with eyes like his,
Two sapphires burning bright...
Like two gas flames and each flame is
A symbol of his might!

Denis Martindale, copyright April 2011.

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

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

More Stephen Gayford poems here:

denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/silent-waters/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/05/silent-waters.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

WATCHING YOU

The Royal Tiger was acclaimed
Across the whole world wide
And in great pictures he'd been framed,
With genius and pride...
Distinctive stature has its charm,
Amid the ancient trails
And Man protects him from all harm,
For true love never fails...

Endangered species can't express
Their every daily need
And whether tiger, or tigress,
We know each one must feed...
As long as we've got some control,
Some stewardship at least,
Each Man must look inside his soul,
For beauty and the beast...

That's why the bold white tiger stood,
His old blue eyes aglow,
About to do what tigers should
When hunger starts to grow...
And so the hunt was on again,
For creatures great and small,
Perhaps to feast, survive and then
Be feared by one and all...

Denis Martindale, copyright April 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/watching-you-16/

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

MESMERIC

White tiger eyes, white tiger eyes,
So mesmeric in blue,
Are they to cut me down to size
So that I might fear you?
Or are they there to gain my trust
That friendship grows and grows?
If so, then why am I nonplussed,
Can't move my legs, feet, toes?

White tiger eyes, white tiger eyes,
If only you would blink!
I'd get a chance to realise!
I'd get a chance to think!
What lessons could you teach my soul?
What blessings for my heart?
Or would you quickly take control
And then tear me apart?

White tiger eyes, white tiger eyes,
What secrets lay behind?
What wonders lay in dark surprise
To captivate my mind?
Despite your gracious majesty,
You're getting on my wick!
First chance I get, I must break free,
Turn tail and scarper quick!

　
Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2011.
　
My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

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

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

Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mesmeric-2/

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

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 are sold on 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
http://www.pokemoncraftstore.com/index.php?cPath=24