High Spirits
High spirits made the zebra leap,
For joy within his soul
Was something precious he could keep,
If he let slip control...
Within a crowd, where he felt safe,
No tension spoilt his day...
And in these moments, living faith
Cast all his doubts away...
Now like a child, he kicked up dust!
His front legs rode thin air!
Safety in numbers caused such trust,
So he shook off each care!
The zebras laughed like zebras do...
They cackled one-by-one...
Although this wasn't something new,
Unshackled fears brought fun!
Some others copied what he did!
Like each of them agreed...
With joy of life no longer hid,
Their joy was joy indeed!
If only we could imitate
The zebra now and then,
We'd learn life's here to celebrate,
For death comes, who knows when?
It's why we often hum a tune
With half-remembered words...
Or stare at stars beyond the moon
Or whistle back at birds...
High spirits come and go, my friend...
It's not as if they're planned...
But when they come, on this depend,
You'll love Love's Wonderland!
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'High Spirits'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Thirst Quencher
Both young and old, the zebras came,
To dare to drink again.
Not one of these would know God's Name,
Yet He had sent the rain...
So while the zebras drank their fill,
From empty to the brim,
Not one of these possessed the skill
To offer thanks to Him...
The sizzling sun shone in the sky
Providing heat and light,
Yet none of these could question why
Each owned the gift of sight...
The cool, cool breeze began to blow...
To grant them some relief,
Yet none of these would ever know
True faith or true belief...
Yet there was love within their hearts,
As they stood side-by-side.
This precious gift that never parts,
For conscience is its guide...
While water brings both joy and strife,
Without it, love would end...
May God help zebras to survive,
With water as their friend...
Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Thirst Quencher'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Mother's Protection
The zebra foal's Mother was wise,
She kept the foal at bay,
So that no other zebra tries
To coax her foal away...
And so they bond the first few days,
Beneath the searing sun
And thus the foal with Mother stays...
Its life has just begun.
Together now and side-by-side,
The two unite with love,
A sight that fills the Lord with pride
As He looks from above...
For love is all that has true worth,
To stand the test of time...
Ask anyone upon this Earth,
They'll tell you it's sublime...
The foal is destined to survive,
If given proper care
And left to live will surely thrive
With Mother standing there...
As decades come, as decades go,
Each zebra roams the land,
Content to see the whole herd grow
The way that God has planned...
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'A Mother's Protection'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Thirsty Travellers
When zebras migrate plain to plain
They brave the hunters, too,
These travellers have much to gain
As each one sees it through...
Consider running to and fro,
Attacked on either side,
Then panicked, wondering where to go,
When there's no place to hide...
Such are the burdens each must face
The whole day long, no doubt,
In seeking some great resting place,
Like that's what life's about...
Survivors left to tell the tales
Of how, somehow, they lived,
Despite the fact another fails
And loses life's sweet gift...
Thirsty travellers find the shore,
To line up cautiously,
To face the crocodiles and more
Takes utmost bravery...
Each baptised zebra takes his chance,
With courage rarely known...
In hopes, somehow, the odds enhance
When none there swims alone...
Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Thirsty Travellers'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Elegance
The cheetah checked the path ahead
For prey and foe alike...
Yet all was calm, no need to dread,
No need to flee or strike...
No conflicts loomed, no burdens sensed,
No sudden terrors here...
At last his soul felt recompensed
For times he shook with fear.
On making sure that all took place
Without the need for fights,
He simply walked, with gentle grace,
Just taking in the sights.
This therefore meant the time was his,
To do with as he pleased.
Serenity transformed to bliss...
His muscle tension eased.
In moments, he was confident...
As if his heart felt blessed.
As if this day would be well spent...
Because it felt his best.
Taking in the sweet air's fragrance,
Its innocence felt good...
And he exuded elegance,
As if he'd understood...
That life is precious, so sublime...
Enjoy it when you can.
One third asleep, the rest gives time
To think ahead and plan...
And so he walked, to think of schemes,
To make his life worthwhile.
There's nothing wrong with dreaming dreams...
Of elegance and style...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Elegance'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lion Cub Playing
The cute and cuddly lion cub
Was dazzling black and white!
As if he'd joined the Zebra Club,
Outstanding, what a sight!
Was this a ploy that Nature tried
To stop them in their tracks?
He's one of us! No need to hide!
He won't jump on our backs!
The lion cub was unaware
Of what the zebras thought...
He didn't know that he was rare,
That they would be his sport.
That some time soon he'd chase them hard
Across the placid plains,
To hunt the ones that weren't on guard
Against these sudden strains...
It's true that he looked innocent!
It's true that he looked calm!
It's true to some he'd be a friend
And not chew off an arm...
But zebras didn't stand a chance,
They'd better run real fast!
Though he's got looks that quite entrance,
His innocence won't last!
Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2010.
The poem is based on the canvas artwork
called 'Lion Cub Playing' available with
other canvas art animal scenes from
tinyurl-dot-com-slash-printnineart
My Stephen Gayford poems are here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Journey Home
The elephant was on her way,
Her calf was close nearby,
You should've seen their bodies sway,
Both marching, heads held high!
'Keep up with me! Left, right! Left, right! '
The calf was telling Mum,
The two of them were quite a sight,
Since so far had they come...
For many miles, the calf endured,
Without a thought to stop,
But Mum, of course, was quite assured,
His legs would flip and flop...
His trunk would droop and trail the ground,
His pace no longer fast,
With barely strength to make a sound,
As even more miles past...
And sure enough, she heard those words,
That parents often get...
The journey home, it's for the birds!
'Hey, Mum, are we there yet! ? '
'A few miles more! ' she told him straight...
He moaned and groaned, of course...
It's just right then, though life was great,
He'd rather be a horse!
Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'The Journey Home'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Keeping Watch
The zebras stood there in a line
And almost side-by-side.
Their eyes were staring for a sign
That could serve as a guide.
If dangers lurked, then eyes and ears
Would warn them when to run...
Their instincts helped them through the years,
Yet they must fight the sun...
For up above, it blasted down
With heat beyond belief...
To melt the blue, the green and brown
And linger like a thief...
Just one mistake and some would die
And so they stood and chewed...
And watched each hour pass them by,
In their long solemn mood...
No false alarms had happened yet
And so they stood their ground...
United in each other's debt
For anything they found...
A sudden stirring chilled their blood!
In seconds, they had gone!
Like cavalry, their hooves would thud,
As lions stood alone...
This battle won, the zebras lived
To see another day...
With vigilence their greatest gift,
They chewed and chewed away...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Keeping Watch'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Spring Thaw
The polar bear stepped gingerly,
Just one step at a time...
No longer thin as he should be,
No longer quite sublime...
The ice grew soft as morning dew,
Not hard as once he'd seen...
The ice was slippy-slidy, too,
And he was not so keen...
The seasons change, that's how it goes,
Life gently moves along...
Yet suddenly, the wise heart knows,
When something could go wrong...
He'd slipped before! He'd banged his teeth!
He'd yelped in pain that day!
He'd cried out loud in disbelief,
Till his pain went away!
One step... one step... one step... then pause...
As if he'd lost his touch...
A little scared with outstretched claws,
Reluctant now to budge!
Before you laugh at such a sight,
Have you slipped up at all?
Have you crashed down with all your might
When ice caused you to fall?
Compassion teaches us to care,
That's if we've 'thawt' it through!
Instead of laughing when we stare,
Let's ask, 'What should we do! ? '
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Spring Thaw'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
High And Mighty
The lion lives another day
And soon it will be night.
He doesn't care, for come what may,
He taught himself to fight.
His jaws spring open! Hear him roar!
'Beware! ' he says, 'Beware! '
High and mighty in tooth and claw,
To claim the lion's share!
Stand clear, if you love life at all!
Stand clear and let him pass!
The lion's strength helps us recall,
He's in a different class...
God gave him claws, God gave him teeth,
God gave him hunting skills.
Let others stare in disbelief,
As savagely he kills.
His thoughts are his, his actions, too.
Let others dare to judge.
Let each one hold his point of view...
From his, he will not budge.
High and mighty and taking pride
In all that he surveys.
In all the dangers he defied
And conquered nights and days.
To weather storms and yet survive...
To hunt before death strikes...
To drink again, when rains arrive...
To wander as he likes...
To live and love the mate he chose,
New life to carry on...
For even life comes to a close
And he, too, will be gone.
For now, he stares on his domain,
Its sovereign, lord and king...
His like will never come again
In any living thing...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'High And Mighty'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Forever Friends
Oh... how could I forget you guys?
My joy on you depends!
In fact, you two have been so nice,
Let's stay forever friends!
Through thick and thin, through fast and slow,
Through here, there, everywhere,
Through every day God lets us grow,
You're in my every prayer!
That's how it was for these guys now,
Three elephants who knew
The joy that comes when folks allow
Those three words, I LOVE YOU!
They shared a bond, a partnership,
As they stood side-by-side...
And interlocked, their trunks would grip,
Like handshakes full of pride.
The adults watched these three at play...
In this, their neighbourhood.
You know, I think it's safe to say,
They made their hearts feel good...
Togetherness is love's reward,
If we invest the time...
Like when we're praying to the Lord,
His presence is sublime...
God blesses those who learn to love...
Through faith that never ends!
His precious ones are known above
As His forever friends...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Forever Friends'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Proud Mother
Within this world of wondrous things,
Snow leopards learn to live...
From gentle cubs, as underlings,
To parents, life to give.
To each his own, that's how it goes,
The male and female breed,
Such that new life within her grows,
Until they, too, are freed...
Then all at once those cubs must learn
What life is all about,
And thus, in time, respect to earn,
No longer rules to flout...
They choose to serve within a team,
Survival to ensure,
No matter if through acts extreme
That shake us to the core...
Their mother is their constant guide
And yet their closest friend.
That's why she looks on them with pride
Until the bitter end...
For she's known love and she's known death
And yearns to stay alive...
Until she breathes her final breath,
She'll help them to survive...
Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Proud Mother'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
King Of The Castle
The tiger strolled alone again...
Unloved for all to see...
A lonely king revered by men
And yet no queen had he...
No tigress roared for him to hear,
No tigress caught his eye,
No tigress brought from far to near
To cause a sovereign's sigh...
The tiger strolled a little more...
His heart a heavy weight...
A lonely king who felt so poor
He couldn't celebrate...
No tigress toured his countryside,
No tigress sought his love,
No tigress thought of him with pride,
So was this life enough?
The tiger strolled another day...
With pining in his soul...
A lonely king he'd have to stay,
Maintaining self-control...
But suddenly he roared and roared!
Until God heard him, too!
God sent a tigress to this lord
Who never said, 'Thank You! '
Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'King Of The Castle'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Devoted Mother
The tigress took her time this day...
Her cub was close at hand
And that was how they chose to stay,
As though it had been planned.
Togetherness brings tenderness,
Life-bonding to and fro.
Togetherness means gentleness
And friendship that can grow.
Together now, not separate,
As if it couldn't end.
For now, the cub looked delicate,
A fragile, feline friend...
The sun looked on with watchful eye,
To glide past up above.
The tigress seemed to pause and sigh,
To signify their love...
Today's the day these two must bond,
Forever, from now on.
To think of now and not beyond,
When peace has come and gone...
Devotion forms a daily gift
That hovers from the heart
And gives another's heart a lift,
And yet that's just the start...
For love endures, though seasons fade,
As months melt into years...
Love steers the course of plans we've made,
Beyond our doubts and fears.
The tigress tries to do her best -
In all things, she's superb.
If by her love, you've been impressed...
Stand back... and don't disturb...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Devoted Mother'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Hunter's Moon
Beneath the silver-speckled moon,
That floated like the clouds,
The wild wolf smiled, for he would soon
Dispel all nearby crowds.
For he could howl, upon his hill,
Enough to chill your bones,
Enough to make a brave man ill
And fill his throat with groans...
This wily wolf could howl all night!
He sat still unafraid...
He grinned from ear-to-ear all right,
Then what a noise he made!
All ears for miles were tuned in now!
He sniggered, then he paused...
With one huge breath, he howled and how!
And, oh, what fear that caused!
Then three quick howls to pile it on!
Then silence, just for fun...
And just when folks had thought he'd gone,
He proved he wasn't done!
Beneath the hunter's moon above,
His body shook with glee...
He howled as they screamed, 'Lay it off! '
'You can't get rid of me! '
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Hunter's Moon'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lion Cub
To study him, as he was now,
You'd think that he looked swell.
This lion cub with wrinkled brow
Was known to cast a spell...
Your first impressions are misled,
For he's no gentle soul...
Just tired out, with weary head,
Till he regains control...
Once back on form, he's set to pounce!
He's on all fours again!
As if on springs, he'll leap and bounce
Before he counts to ten!
This little jewel is known to prowl
And ambush suddenly...
He even makes his Mother growl,
While Dad stares solemnly...
But does he care, displaying shame?
Does he observe their rules?
They've never known him to be tame!
He treats them all as fools!
But one day soon, he'll stand and fight,
No matter what this brings!
Yes, one day soon, with all his might,
He'll join the lion kings!
Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Lion Cub'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Eyes Of The Forest
When tigers pause, their eyes stare deep,
Across each forest scene...
To scan for creatures that can creep,
No matter, mild or mean...
This tiger searches high and low,
His eyes pan left to right...
And as they wander to and fro,
The tension starts to bite!
In seconds, everything could change,
A false alarm or what?
A broken twig or something strange
To put him on the spot?
That's why his paws are prone to pause,
Sometimes to poise mid-air...
Until his eyes have learnt the cause,
They'll dangle, dainty, there...
Those precious paws hold claws within,
So he can hold his own.
If he must fight, he won't give in...
His heart is cold as stone!
The gentle cub is long since gone,
This adult heart beats now...
Survival instincts carry on,
To them, each soul must bow...
He knows that one mistake and then,
They'll write his epitaph!
Now safe, he treads the ground again...
And carries on his path...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Eyes Of The Forest'.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Full Attention
The tiger took his merry time
Wading in the water...
Why shouldn't he? It felt sublime,
Perfectly in order...
So he went up and he went down
And he went left and right
And though each stripe looked like a frown,
His joy was at its height...
This is the life, he seemed to say,
Nothing else quite like it!
No hurry to be on his way,
In truth, he must admit!
Up to his neck in Shangri-La,
Nirvana, Heaven, peace...
It wasn't likely he'd go far,
When he could take his ease.
Did it have his full attention?
Yes, he felt comfy there...
Had he lost all apprehension?
He didn't have a care!
No point in leaving for a while...
So he felt mighty glad...
If anything can make you smile,
Like him, get stuck in, lad...
Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Full Attention'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot.com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Don't You Kill Love
Don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
in the blink of an eye time passes us by
where does it go
now will you take a stand for love I am
forever more
these wars have wounded my heart so my trust breaks apart
to human I say these words
don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
this chance we should not miss to share this sacred bliss
and spread it all around I'm gonna spread it all around
my heart been broke before but still I must endure
keep the spirits high keep the spirits high
cause it's the greatest things in life calls for the most sacrifice
are we brave are we brave enough
don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
song performed by by Ziggy Marley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Close Family
Time melts in magical moments,
As if within love's spell,
Each day we can share it with friends,
Before we say farewell...
The cheetahs shared a common bond
Borne of their company
And showed to all that they were fond
Of their close family.
It wasn't fear that brought them near,
But gentleness within -
With those held precious and most dear,
Yes, one's own kith and kin.
They found serenity that day
Beneath that soothing sun,
It thus became the perfect way
To find peace, one-on-one...
The blowing breeze caressed their cheeks
Upon that afternoon
And in that calm, their silence speaks,
Although this must end soon...
For now, they shared tranquillity,
No need for food and drink,
Just simple sweet civility,
Reflection, time to think...
Time melts in magical moments,
As if within love's spell,
Each day we can share it with friends,
Before we say farewell...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Family'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Waiting For Mother
Two tiger cubs with swishing tails
With so much still to learn,
As is the case, with all young males,
Awaited Mum's return...
At first, quite calm, no cause to fret,
No cause to sigh for now,
But soon spurred on by their regret,
Each wore a furrowed brow...
'She won't be long! ' they both agreed,
'No, no, not long at all...'
Could soothing comfort words succeed
When neither heard her call?
Impatiently they tapped their feet
And swished their tails again...
With nothing near or far to greet,
What use to count to ten?
'Oh, come on, Mum! ' they growled aloud!
No longer quite serene,
No longer brave, no longer proud,
Just acting being mean!
'This just won't do! ' But suddenly,
She stood there in plain sight!
'Oh, Mum, we missed you! What's for tea? '
How tactful... How polite!
Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Waiting For Mother'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!