EYE OF THE LEOPARD

Determination serves him well,
Tenacity and truth...
The leopard knows life's weary spell!
He's felt it from his youth.
He must not sleep! His eye must see!
There's danger all around!
This is the price of living free,
Undaunted and unbound.
The leopard loiters, sniffs the air,
His eye looks left and right...
Of every movement he's aware
Through instincts and insight...
Each day's the same, if he survives,
To tread the earth alone,
To hunt in search of other lives,
Because that's all he's known...
His hunger drives him on and on...
Relentless, still, of course...
He hunts until the hunger's gone,
Then feeds without remorse.
His eye has seen so many things
That swim and crawl and fly...
Above him now, a pair of wings
That glide across the sky!
The leopard sighs with envy at
The bird beyond his reach!
If he had wings, he'd make him scat!
What tricks that bird he'd teach!
The leopard looks, then walks his way,
Towards survival's end...
So he can hunt another day,
Unloved, without a friend...

　
Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

The poem is based on the National Geographic
Wild HD details received from Sky Digital for
the September 2009 programme called
'Eye Of The Leopard'. Fully featured on pages
20 and 21 of the September 2009 Sky Magazine!
　
　
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eye-of-the-leopard/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/eyeoftheleopard

The 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
　

CONTENTMENT

The lioness paused and sighed and stayed,
Her hothead cubs in tow,
For now, they stopped, the cubs obeyed
And they were lying low.
The sun still laboured in the sky,
The day went gently on...
They stared and watched the circle fly
So calmly as it shone.
How could they know its flames of fire?
Its furies far away?
Its spurting streams ascending higher?
Its passions night and day?
To them, the sun was like an eye
That witnessed good and bad...
And punished them and made them fry
And thirst till they went mad...
Yet mercy fell from Heaven, too...
Like raindrops and like tears...
And new days came with morning dew...
That melted all their fears...
And so, by faith, contentment flowed
As long as rivers lived...
To such as these their lives were owed
And life is no small gift...
The waters helped the trees stand tall,
Reach out and offer shade...
The lioness observed it all...
The way such things were made...
Yet only we can give God praise
For all that He has done...
Contentment comes... Contentment stays...
When wisdom's work is done...

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Contentment'.
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/contentment-25/

The 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

price-drop tv on UK Freeview channel 43

August 2009 UK Freeview Update!

Yes, price-drop tv returns to UK Freeview after a long absence. So many customers requested it be on UK Freeview again. It means more Stephen Gayford pictures will be appearing for UK Freeview customers, too. Hopefully that means that price-drop tv will buy in more stock and feature more auctions during each week, especially in time for Christmas and the New Year.

My name has been mentioned in the past when the TV presenters and assistants discuss Stephen Gayford pictures and collectors. My poems are mentioned, too. I look forward to seeing some new titles featured on the websites and the TV channels and in the email newsletters...

WAITING FOR NIGHTFALL

Lionesses waiting for nightfall...
Time slipping by... so slow...
Twilight beckons them, with its call,
Bidding them soon to go.
'Come, my ladies, our time draws near,
When yonder sun must part
And silver moon must then appear,
The midnight dance to start...
Enchantments wait in shadows still,
When spirits roam the land...
Yet none of these can share the thrill
Of what tonight has planned...
This evening's sky will say goodbye
And darkness rules once more...
Then silvered twinkling eyes will spy
The truth behind each roar!
Behold the night! The fearsome thing!
When Nature's secrets hide
And creatures that can bite and sting
Won't sleep until they've tried...
Come, my ladies, our time is close,
We hunt for food in pairs...
If not, we starve, death overthrows
And ends our night affairs...
Our solemn business soon begins...
Our partnership persists...
May God forgive us for our sins...
As long as each exists...'

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Waiting For Nightfall'.
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/waiting-for-nightfall/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/waitingfornightfall

The 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
http://www.speedauction.tv

YOUNG HOPEFUL

There comes a time when tigers sense
A pattern in their lives,
Of being born, of making friends
And adulthood arrives.
From that day on, life's journey turns
To take on one more quest...
When everything inside them yearns
To always do their best.
The playful games seem foolish now...
They feel so out of touch...
To them, they bid a final bow,
Though they were loved so much.
It's time to stand, eyes open wide.
It's time to learn to track.
It's time to hunt at father's side.
It's time to watch his back.
It's time to know what teamwork means
And not just running fast...
That's why this tiger looks alert.
He's found his place at last.
Young hopeful, who knows what's ahead?
Life grants no certainty!
For now, give thanks each time you're fed...
Enjoy your family...
One day, perhaps, you'll find a mate,
With offspring of your own...
And with her you can celebrate...
The greatest joy that's known...

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Young Hopeful'.
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/young-hopeful/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/younghopeful

The 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
http://www.speedauction.tv

ROYALTY

Consider creatures great and small
That live upon this Earth...
In fact, we cannot count them all
Or estimate their worth...
Yet here they are, they have their place,
Like birds that fill the skies!
Like fish that swim with gentle grace,
In tropic seas so nice!
On land, we find the lion rules,
A true majestic lord!
We learn of him within our schools...
How can he be ignored?
Untamed, unchanged, defiant still,
His roar sounds far and wide!
It makes the bravest hearts to chill,
That cannot be denied...
He always keeps us pondering,
The second he is seen.
This creature has been called a king...
The lioness, his queen...
As long as lions have their place,
His kingdom carries on...
Until we can no longer trace
These big cats... then it's gone...
It must be said, he looks the part!
Behold his majesty!
So bold he looks a work of art!
Like proper royalty!

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2009.
My Poetry website: http://poem.says.it

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Royalty'.
Shared on
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/royalty-6/

The 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
http://www.speedauction.tv

AUGUST 2009 UPDATE

I'm currently working on promoting Stephen Gayford.

He is a wildlife artist whose paintings are sold as prints:

The framed pictures are bought from these UK websites:
http://www.bid.tv (on UK Freeview)
http://www.price-drop.tv
http://www.speedauction.tv

These UK Shopping sites sometimes have Art Evenings.

I watch the broadcasts on Sky Digital and Freeview TV.

My 2009 Stephen Gayford poems are here:

http://www.poemhunter.com/search/?q=Gayford&Submit=Find&w=text

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems

Or here:

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2

A Google image search for Stephen Gayford will show the artwork.

Lions and tigers are my favourites... so far...

August 2009 UPDATE:

Bid tv is on the TWITTER website and a link to my poems

was posted there: http://twitter.com/bidtv

Love Stephen Gayford? Here is a link to poetry inspired by
Stephen Gayford's prints - written by one of our customers.

http://bit.ly/16jh3o

7:41 AM Jun 3rd 2009 from TweetDeck

Thank you for sharing that link to the poemhunter website!

Regards, Denis Martindale, August 2009.

Here is a reminder of what this tribute blog is about:

STEPHEN GAYFORD

Masterpieces for the masses!
Loved lithographs! Sweet prints!
A treasure trove of canvasses
With wondrous shades and tints.
Consider how this painter hopes
To capture all he can.
Reflect on how he always copes
And stays the artisan.
With finite detail to control,
To share his point of view,
This artist has a special soul,
A noble spirit, too.
Rejecting basics and extremes,
Perfection to create.
Respecting quintessential dreams
And so encapsulate...
It's finished, no more need to fuss!
What glory this achieves!
Rejoicing in what's done for us,
That each, in time, receives.
There's joy as we anticipate
This craftsman's artistry!
Yes, all things come to those that wait...
Yet patience is the key...
How many paintings Stephen's done,
In truth, I cannot say,
Yet he portrays a sense of fun
At work, at home, at play...
If you're like me, you've got a few
To beautify your home...
So, Stephen, thank you! God bless you!
Wherever you may roam...

Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2009.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent paintings by artist
Stephen Gayford, as featured on UK Freeview's bid tv.

The poem has been shared on this website:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stephen-gayford/

The Gayford paintings poems can be viewed here:
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems
http://tinyurl.com/gayfordpoems2

And here 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
http://www.speedauction.tv