CLOSE PROTECTION

Their close protection suits them best
And that's what each provides,
For meerkats live to help the rest,
To make sure peace abides...
What use is life, if constant fears
Condemn us day-by-day?
What use is life, if all our years
Condemn us in that way?

The sentinels are now on guard!
Their eyes are everywhere!
No single clue can they discard!
Approach them if you dare!
You'll tire first, make no mistake...
Escape routes all around...
So give up now, for goodness sake!
You can't dig underground...

They'll snigger as you scratch the dirt,
Frustrated to the hilt!
They'll giggle as your claws get hurt,
For you're not that well built!
They'll wait you out till you concede
And lamely walk away...
Then they'll stand tall, on guard, take heed!
They'll never be your prey!

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2010.

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

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

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

Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/close-protection/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/closeprotection

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

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

And there he was, like mercury,
Dressed in his leathered skin,
The elephant that looked at me
And knew that he would win!
While I stood still with mounting dread
And in one of those jams,
His tusks were pointing dead ahead!
Just like battering rams!

I could run left, I could run right,
A nearby tree to climb,
Then hold on tight with all my might
As we two passed the time...
Then suddenly he walked away!
He left me standing still...
Perhaps I'd live another day,
Though right then I felt ill...

I gulped and walked away real slow...
Quite gingerly at first,
Then scarpered off, now on the go
And running at full burst!
The elephant let out a roar!
He bellowed loud and clear!
I kept on running all the more,
Like you would, too, my dear!

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2010.

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

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

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

Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/close-encounter-3/

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

BATTLE SCARS

The lion's eyes looked dead ahead,
No smile or smirk in sight,
Just sending out a sense of dread
That others may take flight...
Why fight if you can run away?
Escape the pain and strife...
Born free to see another day,
Another day of life...

The lion's mouth concealed his teeth,
Small daggers every one,
So sharp they'd cause you instant grief
Before the battle's won...
And 'neath his dainty-looking paws,
So gentle, silky-soft,
He hid his vicious callous claws
In wait for those who scoffed...

It's true that he had battle scars,
Yet he had learnt his trade,
No longer thinking it a farce,
A game that lions played...
One lion wins, it can't be two...
One lion takes the prize!
That's why he'll do what he must do...
Look deep into his eyes....

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Battle Scars'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/battle-scars-6/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/battlescars

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

MATCHING PAIR

Together they were quite a pair,
Devoted to a fault,
Forevermore each one to share,
Like pepper close to salt.
Like soulmates bonded tenderly,
United in one cause,
Obedient to what's meant to be
And serving Nature's Laws.

Such harmony for all to see,
No secret rendezvous,
No hidden truth or mystery,
No need to solve a clue,
Just awesome close-up gentleness,
Just strolling in the sun,
Just two hearts sharing happiness
Until the day is done...

This was their time and theirs alone,
The world just passed them by,
It couldn't share the joy they'd known
Or even ask them why,
But some of us have understood,
For us, no trace of doubt...
Each matching pair knows life is good!
That's what love's all about...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting of
two giraffes by Stephen Gayford called 'Matching Pair'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/matching-pair/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/matchingpair

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

IN HIS PRIME

The lion strode with confidence,
As if the world were his,
He had no call for eloquence,
What more was there than this?
He felt that he was truly blessed,
Fulfilling destiny...
So far he knew he'd passed each test
And proved supremacy.

Bold courage stirred within his veins,
Fuelled by his valiant heart...
So he surveyed the golden plains,
Where he must play his part.
He'd honed his skills for several years,
He was no amateur...
He felt no need to live with fears
For things that might occur...

He had his own might to withstand
The rigours of his foes
And strategies that he had planned,
If their threats came to blows...
He relished each new minute,
Each moment of his time!
Yes, he was in it to win it...
While he was in his prime...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'In His Prime'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-his-prime/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/inhisprime

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

GOING THE EXTRA MILE!

With Sky + HD set top boxes you can use the Search A to Z options and type in LION or TIGER or some animal name and get the search results for what's on during the next few days, so it isn't always just the Nature programmes on the Nature channels. The Sky + box offers us the TV GUIDE then Search option and that searches for A to Z titles and genres. You need to check the TV GUIDE listings for future programmes, too.

The Community Channel on Sky and Freeview, for example, recently featured the plight of animal welfare and conservation and helped raise our awareness of how Man is adversely affecting Nature, such that some endangered creatures face extinction in decades rather than centuries.

You can record programmes eg a one-time recording or choose the complete series. Beyond what's on, the online Sky Player could offer extra showings of LIVE TV and ON-DEMAND views.

We also know that many websites exist that offer us the chance to view online. A Google search will find loads of Internet TV and Radio options and sites like youtube feature many more TV programmes and excerpts. We also know that Internet USB dongles can show us Freeview channels or even worldwide channels. Amazon and Ebay sell these, as do the Shopping channels, like bid tv and price-drop tv and speedauction tv, so please shop around to save money. Check product specifications and computer operatng systems and requirements.

Sky has featured save the rainforest and adopt a jaguar etc. The Adopt an animal charities are featured online, so if you prefer to support the wildlife or the domesticated creatures then there are websites that accept online donations. Ebay also offers charities the chance to auction goods, so check for these, too. You can buy stuff and still support animal charities!

Look out for the bid tv's Stephen Gayford Art Evenings featuring limited editions of his latest prints and canvasses. With a Sky + HD box, you can use the HDMI cable to upscale the standard quality to a better picture quality on your larger HD TVs. Mind you, we now have several Freeview set top boxes and DVD Recorders with HDMI cables and even with Freeview HD channels. We might as well enjoy them!

Seeing Nature programmes in Sky HD quality or Virgin Media HD quality may inspire us towards supporting animal causes. Even so, buying a Stephen Gayford picture can bring home to us the magnificent beauty that's in the world today. A visit to his website will also enhance your appreciation of wildlife here, there and everywhere on planet Earth...

http://www.gayfordgallery.com/

Regards,

Denis Martindale, June 2010.

TENDERNESS

The Summer's heat can calm the soul
Of creatures great and small
And with this comes their self-control
With tenderness for all.
Thus lions walk without remorse,
So close they're side-by-side...
As if they'd lost their callous claws
And conscience was their guide.

At times like these, when peace holds sway
And there's no need to frown,
The alpha male looks not for prey
Or ways to prove his crown...
He merely walks, like sovereigns do,
In courtyards near their homes,
Next to the ones whose love is true
As told in precious poems.

From Nature's plan their cubs proceed,
Born free like royalty,
The lionesses know their need
And sacred destiny...
The cubs bring joyful times of play,
Affection now and then,
Thus lionesses lead the way -
Life's circle turns again...

The Summer's heat grants memories
When life was oh so sweet
And suddenly it brings release
So that the heart's complete...
That's when blessed lions fall in love
And think that life's sublime...
And then they're not so rough and tough
Because it's tenderness time...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Tenderness II'.
This features a lioness leading her child...
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tenderness-15/

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