INDIAN PRINCESS

The years were kind to the tigress,
Now seasoned in the sun,
So full of spice and specialness,
A prize meant to be won...
She'd find a mate when time decreed,
Till then, the days felt slow,
Until her destiny was freed,
Alone she had to go.
The miracles of life and love
Must first unite in time...
And while the waiting can be rough,
It helps make them sublime.
As long as fate grants its reward,
New life will grace the land...
The tigers' line will be assured
If good luck lends a hand.
Each generation comes and goes
As if it were the first,
Until extinction overthrows
And then it does its worst.
Endangered species may survive,
If Nature takes its course...
Yet if protected, they will thrive,
According to God's laws...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Indian Princess'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/indian-princess-2/

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

MENACING

White tigers roam where Man permits,
Endangered even now...
That's why they have to use their wits
Before their final bow...
Extinction's waiting in the wings,
Another cat to claim!
While Man's still doing shameful things,
This world can't stay the same.
As time moves on, the cats die out...
And yet Man doesn't care!
He's menacing without a doubt,
He's this world's worst nightmare!
The tigers look like pussycats
When they're compared to him...
He treats all life like welcome mats,
Whenever he acts dim...
A hundred years will soon pass by...
Survivors, who can say?
For now... look in the tiger's eye...
Today's the day to pray...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Menacing'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/menacing/

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

HANDSOME

To think that the adult lion
Was once a tiny thing.
So his mother kept her eye on
This one who would be king.
She knew that he was full of life,
Vivacious, full of fun!
Yet he must learn to conquer strife
And fight until he's won.
No easy street, no gentle road,
No straight smooth path ahead...
For him, there was a higher code,
Just like a thoroughbred...
Each day would be a battlefield,
Pretenders for his throne,
Contenders waiting still concealed
Until they are full grown...
For now he was a handsome beast
With tiny hidden scars...
Aware that others never ceased,
He dare not let them pass...
He met each challenge with a sneer
And then a grisly growl...
Yet knowing he would win and jeer
And hear his loser howl...
It's Nature's way... it's raw, it's wild,
It's life and death, my friend...
No place for those so meek, so mild,
With no thought to defend...
This handsome lion knows his worth,
His offspring know it, too...
His mother knew it from his birth...
A winner through and through!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Handsome'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/handsome-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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)

WHITE MAGNIFICENCE

Imagine one day, if you will,
In some far distant land,
You had to climb a giant hill
And on it there to stand...
Then all at once, you saw the beast,
As calm as he could be...
A regal lion to the east!
His royal majesty!

Exquisitely blessed by moonlight,
Within his robe and gown!
Adorned in pure albino white,
With snowflakes for his crown...
He needs no sword, he needs no shield,
He needs no sage advice...
With all that strength, he'll never yield!
His heart is cold as ice!

I'd watch my step, if I were you...
No sudden moves at all...
Yeah, right! I know what I would do!
I'd run and wouldn't stall...
I've only one life! He's got nine!
I'd soon be on my way!
At some things, I must draw the line!
Good evening and good day!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'White Magnificence'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/white-magnificence/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/whitemagnificence

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

RESTFUL

White tigers haven't much to say,
When flat out on the chin...
'It's been a long, long, long, long day...
I'm pooped! It's done me in!'
So there he was, eyes almost closed,
Quite restful... dozing off...
And now no longer quite disposed
To act as if a toff!
Aristocrats must also sleep,
When into beds they climb...
To yawn again and breathe in deep,
When it's their beddy-time!
White tigers may be very rare,
But they can't beat the clock!
A tiger's eye can stare and stare
Till moonshine it must block...
Tomorrow's just another day,
Who knows what it might bring?
For now the big white cat must lay,
Like any other king...
I've never heard a tiger snore...
I'd never get that near!
But if I did, I'd shake his paw
And scarper, never fear!
By day, to him, I'd raise my hat
And meekly gently bow...
Good night, you furry fluffy cat!
You're not so mighty now...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Restful'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/restful/

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

SERENGETI EVENING

The tiger looks a noble sort,
I think that you'd agree.
It doesn't really take much thought,
It's there for all to see.
The tiger smoulders in the sun,
Like marmalade on toast -
His orange stripes so crisply done
To stand out uppermost.
His swishing tail, his piercing eyes,
His rippling muscles, too.
His camouflage meant to disguise,
To do what he must do...
Together, how they all impress -
Both young and old take note.
With tigers, there's no need to guess,
You just look at that coat.
His whiskers twitching up and down
And sometimes left and right.
Each forehead stripe just like a frown,
As if he just took fright.
The tiger looks a noble sort,
Determined through and through!
But sadly, I must now report:
Run fast or he'll catch YOU!

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Serengeti Evening II'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/serengeti-evening/
Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/serengeti-evening

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

BACK TO BACK

Back to back, there stood two meerkats,
Just staring into space,
As if they looked like scruffy brats
Who had no poise or grace...
Yet each meerkat found affection
And mutual respect,
To gaze off in each direction
With peace you can't neglect.
As they leaned against each other,
Just taking in the day,
Were these two father and mother
To little ones at play?
Perhaps they stood there tired out,
Without the strength to move...
Plum-tuckered out to run about
And now stuck in a groove...
Suffice to say, they made me smile...
Life's no long drawn out thrill.
Sometimes you need to rest a while
And just take time to chill...
It's nice to let the world go by,
Watch fluffy clouds sail past...
You'll never hear a meerkat sigh
Who's found true love at last...

Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2010.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Back To Back'.
Shared on http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/back-to-back-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 and Sky)
http://www.price-drop.tv (on UK Freeview and Sky)
http://www.speedauction.tv (on Sky)