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

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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

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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

MUM KNOWS BEST

The lioness, three cubs in tow,
Observed surrounding scenes,
Much taller than her cubs and so
Would sense what intervenes...
As long as she was calm, at peace,
The three cubs had no fears
And since her love would never cease,
Like her, they'd live for years...

Until the cubs felt danger close,
This time was theirs to play,
As long as Mum was on her toes,
All the livelong day...
To minimise each cub's regret,
She was their warning bell,
Protecting here and now and yet
Their future years as well...

They were her golden legacy,
Defining all she was,
The future lions yet to be
If she escaped such loss...
Of course, there were no guarantees,
Life's such a fragile thing,
Yet everyone on Earth agrees
Each cub could be a king...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.


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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Mum Knows Best'.

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/mum-knows-best.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

ACROSS THE FALLS

While Mother Earth adorns herself
With splendid scenery,
It's God Himself who shares His wealth
Throughout eternity...
And so Man looks at all there is,
At mountains, rivers, lakes
And waterfalls bring instant bliss
And soothe our sad heartaches...

The wolf across the falls would go,
Observe his silvered fur,
Just like the water, all aglow,
Transparent, just a blur...
Mid-step, he hears a sudden sound,
Looks back, in case of harm,
Then glad there was no danger found,
With no cause for alarm...

Thus, on his journey, gingerly,
Across the falls once more,
With footsteps borne of certainty,
His balance ever sure...
Once safe, he'll take the time to stare
At God's great cavalcade,
Yet only Man gives thanks in prayer
For all the Lord has made...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.


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


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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/across-falls.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

KINGFISHER

Above the water, all alone,
He stares impatiently,
Another passing fish to own,
If not escaping free...
Just perched perchance to grab a meal,
Before it darts away,
Another creature's life to steal,
To live another day...

His life before was just the same,
Efficient every time,
Remaining poised till he took aim,
Swoop, grab, then upward climb...
The boredom factor wasn't nice,
But what else could he do?
Fish come and go as God supplies
And some days just a few...

Kingfisher, tell me, if you can,
Do you like fish to eat?
Would you, yourself, your meals to plan,
Choose something else like meat?
I'm glad that I'm an omnivore
Who eats just anything,
I'm sure just fish would be a bore,
For fisherman or king...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2013.

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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/kingfisher.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 MAESTRO

The lion learnt a thing or two
For getting his own way,
A timely roar, if overdue,
Reminding to obey...
A sudden frown or drawn out glare
Worked wonders now and then,
As if nobody had a prayer
If he stood up again...

As long as he was resting still
And gently breathing in,
There'd be no sudden blood to spill,
No-one to lose or win...
Just like a maestro in control,
He orchestrated well
And didn't have to hurt a soul,
Turn Heaven into Hell...

But woe to those that courage stirred
To challenge him once more,
For many tried and many erred,
He crushed them to the core...
The maestro's something Nature chose
To make us all think twice!
When we've no need to venture close,
Binoculars suffice...


Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2013.


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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-maestro.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 BOSS

White tiger, there, why do you stare
At me so haughty still,
As if you truly just don't care
And never, ever will?
As if you lack the heart, the grace,
Proud of your stubborn streak,
As if you think you own the place
And that you're quite unique?

White tiger, pause, think of your flaws,
Consider rights and wrongs,
Like us, you must obey God's laws,
As each to Him belongs...
You didn't make the sun above,
The planets or the moon
And though today you look quite tough,
We know we all die soon...

White tiger, please, let all pride cease,
Be humble, now and then,
For everyone on Earth agrees,
God goes back, way back when...
We've been around a few short years,
We know that well because
In life, we've shed our share of tears...
So, tell me... Who's The Boss?


Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2013.


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

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

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

Shared on

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http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-boss.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