MY HERO

The lion cub was mighty proud
As he stared up above
And heard his father roar so loud,
For he was truly tough!
Adorned with wondrous golden mane
That circled like a ring
With all his coat like golden grain
And every inch a king...

The lion cub looked at his jaw,
Like granite, chiselled stone,
Commanding solemn silent awe,
For he was fully grown...
Yet there he stayed, composed, serene,
As if the world was his.
The alpha male, the sovereign,
No greater dream than this...

The lion cub would grow in time...
His father knew it well.
Their destiny was so sublime,
It caused his heart to swell.
That's why he let the cub stay close,
To learn what must be done...
For who knows all the lion knows,
How best to love his son?

Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-hero-59/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-hero.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

SERENITY

Two dolphins swam, as dolphins do,
United, side-by-side,
Despite the fact that they could view
The ocean clear and wide...
Togetherness, just as you please,
Serenity within...
That's why they swam in perfect peace,
For now, no race to win...

This was their time, in aqua light,
So tranquil, full of calm,
Engulfed in fathomless insight,
As if it were their balm...
Alone, yet not afraid to be,
Alone, yet gliding on,
Alone, yet graceful, fancy-free,
As if all cares had gone...

To simply let the world pass by,
Like dolphins have before,
Serenity some humans try,
Yet there's a fatal flaw...
Why envy dolphins of this Earth
As creatures to admire?
For dolphins have no God to serve,
No Heaven to aspire...

Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/serenity-73/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/09/serenity.html

###################

ADOPT A DOLPHIN!

see the poem below!

###################

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

ADOPT A DOLPHIN!

In this most precious world we live
Are creatures wild and free
And while most take, we know some give,
To share nobility...
That's why we smile like dolphins do,
When good deeds can be done,
Perhaps just by a chosen few
Who see good works as fun!

We learn that dolphins send out waves
And also hear these sounds,
We likewise learn how each behaves
Beyond their leaps and bounds!
We know that dolphins leap for joy
And Flipper proved that well!
As if the air was just a toy
Where they could fly a spell...

Each dolphin's like a good luck charm
Deserving of respect,
So let's defend them from all harm,
In ways we can protect...
It's great to be a dolphin fan,
You'll find it so worthwhile...
Adopt a dolphin, if you can!
You'll make a dolphin smile!

Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2011.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adopt-a-dolphin/

COMPANIONSHIP

Two wolves were waiting side-by-side,
At peace, they looked serene,
Yet both their eyes were open wide
With hunting skills so keen...
They looked majestic, yes, indeed,
Yet those around weren't pleased,
For soon it would be time to feed
And tensions were increased...

Wise creatures now remained quite still,
No sounds to make at all...
For soon they knew that blood would spill,
In one almighty brawl.
The waiting game went on and on,
With gamblers here and there,
Beneath the brilliant sun that shone
Without a single care...

Companionship is well and good,
As friends can testify,
Yet these two owned the neighbourhood
And creatures that ran by.
To some, these wolves with pristine fur
Looked awesome without doubt,
But oh what frightful things occur
Each time there's food about...

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/companionship-11/

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/08/companionship.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

LEOPARD WATCH

I saw the leopard watch his world,
No second's thought for me...
Yet angrily his hot tail swirled,
Tensed up, quite anxiously...
He must have sensed he was observed,
But I was hidden well
And though the leopard looked unnerved,
I smiled he couldn't tell...

I made no sound, no sound at all,
In fact, I didn't move...
When you're afraid, you're on the ball,
With nothing more to prove...
So there he was and there I was,
So near and yet so far...
The minutes went so fast because
To me, he was a star!

Distinguished markings, senses taut,
Mouth open, teeth on show...
Determined something would be caught
Before the sun must go...
Then suddenly he saw me here!
He chased me off his turf!
Good God, I've never known such fear!
Must dash! I've seen enough!

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2011.

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

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/leopard-watch/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/leopardwatch

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/08/leopard-watch.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

FOREST HAVEN

The tiger saw me near his home,
His Shangri-La and more...
To him, as sweet as honeycomb,
A place to rest each paw...
'Yes, come on in and join me here,
Without a moment's doubt,
Without a single trace of fear,
For that's what love's about...'

'Just you and I, with no regard
Of past mistakes we've known...
The two of us should now discard
All thoughts to live alone...
No need to fret or fight or flee,
No need to laugh out loud...
Just settle down right next to me...
My soft fur's like a cloud...'

'Don't wear a frown! Don't hesitate...
What have you got to lose?
The sun's so hot... It's getting late...
Let's share this evening's views.
There's no-one else to intervene
To steal this time of bliss...
My forest haven's so serene...
It really, really is...'

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2011.

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

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

Shared on

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

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/08/forest-haven.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

CATCHING THE SUN

Two meerkats stood on tippy-toes
With both of them alert,
On guard against all nearby foes,
So no friends would get hurt...
Defenders every sun-filled day,
Like knights of old they stood!
Defiantly, for come what may,
Determined to be good!

Their little hearts were filled with love
As they stayed side-by-side
And though they didn't look that tough,
Their friends were filled with pride...
To think, that meerkats prove their worth,
With courage shining through,
Yet live their lives beneath the earth,
To do what meerkats do...

They don't have mansions, boats or cars,
They don't own stocks or bonds,
They don't have gold or silver bars
Or fancy hair like blondes!
They're merely meerkats, nothing more,
So there's no great pretence...
But there's one thing you can be sure,
They're loved by all their friends!

Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2011.

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

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/catching-the-sun/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/catchingthesun

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/08/catching-the-sun.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

SUN FACTOR 30

Beneath the sun that shone above,
The elephants and calf
Stood close together, blessed by love,
As they walked on their path...
To them, the sun was light and heat,
Their friend along the way,
Somehow it made their lives complete,
All the livelong day...

They knew the sun felt tired, too,
Though it seemed Heaven sent...
As like a bird it slowly flew,
As on its way it went...
The same direction, side-to-side,
So patient, yet so strong...
To them, a constant faithful guide
That never steered them wrong...

Beneath the sun that shone above,
The calf would grow and grow...
One day, he would be tall enough,
With two long tusks for show...
Till then, his Mum and Dad stayed close,
As proud as proud could be,
To watch him blossom like the rose,
Their son for all to see...

Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2011.

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

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Sun Factor 30'.

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

Shared on

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sun-factor-30/

Shortcut: http://tinyurl.com/sunfactor30

http://denis-martindale.blogspot.com/2011/07/sun-factor-30.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