Sheer Comfort
The lion cub was awfully glad,
So was his mother, too...
Reflecting on the life they had,
Affection grew and grew...
The sun was shining on the trees,
The mountains and the plains...
And there was such a gentle breeze...
Life had no stress or strains...
Of course they knew this wouldn't last,
Yet this would do for now!
Sheer comfort till the moment passed,
Till God would disallow...
They both breathed gently side-by-side,
Contentment shared in time...
At peace, they stared, eyes opened wide,
Recalling sights sublime...
They shared no silver, owned no gold,
They wore no jewellry...
Yet they had wealth and love untold
To last eternity...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Sheer Comfort'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Son Of The Father
The lion lay upon the rock,
His son beside him now...
As if the two were taking stock
Of what God would allow...
The kingdom stretched across the land,
Across the hills and plains,
Across the rivers God had planned
And all else that remains...
Their eyes surveyed the creatures, too,
That God had brought to be,
While some were ancient, some were new,
By air and land and sea...
The lions breathed the sweet warm air
Swept by a newborn breeze,
And humbly settled, gently there,
As if to take their ease...
No words were shared to summarise
Their friendship at that time...
For what was there to realise,
Except it was sublime?
Son of the father, future king,
Behold your destiny...
Remember God made everything,
Yes, even you and me...
Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Son Of The Father'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Close Comfort
Two cheetah cubs stood unafraid
Together side-by-side,
Thus harmony was well portrayed
And thus personified,
Love's treasure trove, tranquillity,
Too precious to neglect,
Made manifest for all to see,
With mutual respect...
We savour peace while it remains,
Like sunshine from above
That gently warms the dusty plains
As if God smiles with love...
The cheetah cubs breathe in, breathe out
And not much more gets done,
What need have they to run about
Beneath that sizzling sun?
Their hearts beat gently, life goes on,
Contentment overflows...
Their sibling rivalry has gone,
But how long for, who knows?
Yet while peace nestles in each heart
And love indwells each mind,
Tranquillity can thus impart
Good reasons to be kind...
Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Comfort'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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The Sublime
The leopard left his sleep behind,
Arose and walked around
And with that walk his waking mind
Was glad at what he found...
The sun was shining in the sky,
A wondrous breeze drew near
And yet not once did he ask why
Such blessings should appear...
And yet this world is so sublime,
In every single part
And blessed are they that spend their time
In painting perfect art...
Think of all creatures... great and small...
That artists sit and paint,
Yet Stephen Gayford, he stands tall,
To some, he is a saint...
He captures insights when on tour,
He gets each detail done
And then he thrills us to the core
And shares his sense of fun...
From meerkats to the giant cats,
Fantastic dolphins, too!
He paints them like aristocrats...
Sublime... each time... for you...
Denis Martindale, copyright, August 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'The Sublime'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Fondness
Two penguins stood in one embrace,
United side-by-side,
Despite the coldness of the place,
They shared a sense of pride...
An inner warmth then grew within,
Like humans often feel,
As fondness grows and dreams begin
When something seems so real...
The ice stayed cold beneath their feet,
The sky stayed blue above,
Yet God knew how they looked so sweet,
As warmth turned into love...
From that day on, these two stayed close,
Contented lives to live,
For each goes where the other goes,
Companionship to give...
That's why they never felt alone,
Each sheltered from remorse,
While others nurtured hearts of stone,
As if the only course...
I envy all that fondness shared,
No matter, day or night,
Alas, for me, nobody cared...
And folks, that just ain't right...
Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Fondness'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Wild At Heart
The lion listened as the breeze
Passed gently on each side
And on the ground he took his ease,
Enjoying all supplied,
As if this hour was a gift,
A time-out if he stayed,
As if to give his heart a lift
As long as he delayed...
Though wild at heart and strong and brave
And fast upon his feet,
He took the gift that God then gave
For peace like this seemed sweet...
A shift from darkness to the light,
Contentment deep within,
Such that for now this time felt right,
Enough to make him grin...
The lion listened, heartbeat slow,
His muscles not so tense,
Beneath the sunshine's gentle glow
With all its dividends...
Then suddenly, he roared aloud,
Reminding us at length,
That he, of course, was mighty proud
And still quite full of strength!
Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Wild At Heart'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Day's End
As cotton clouds still crossed the sky
As if they'd just been spun,
Lionesses watched the day pass by,
Relaxing in the sun...
Contentment conquered all their qualms,
They saw no need to move,
No sudden panics or alarms
And nothing left to prove...
For them, it was a normal day,
With sunshine everywhere,
A gentle breeze seemed here to stay,
As if without a care...
A mellow mood from first to last,
Perfection, so to speak
And yet day's end was coming fast
To end another week...
And so they lingered side-by-side,
Just blinking now and then,
With sunshine as their only guide
Till moonlight shone again...
The heat would fade, as light must, too...
The lionesses sighed...
A shame they can't give thanks like you
For all that God's supplied...
Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Day's End'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Golden Silhouette
The tiger met my stare that day,
Two hunters full of life,
Two species searching for their prey,
Each seeking to survive...
And as I stared into his eyes
While he was on patrol,
I slowly came to realise
That he stared at my soul...
He knew we shared a common bond,
With courage day and night,
That fought each battle and beyond
Against all foes in sight...
Yet he and I weren't enemies,
Although we weren't close friends,
Somehow we sensed a solemn peace,
The kind that rarely ends...
While co-existence yet remains,
We knew each had a share
And to this day, he roams the plains,
As if without a care...
Each has his purpose on this Earth
And how could I forget
His strength, his grace, his noble worth,
His golden silhouette?
Denis Martindale, copyright, June 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Golden Silhouette'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Perfect Pair
Beneath the perfect warm sunshine,
Beneath the perfect sky...
The lion and his Valentine
Both shared the perfect sigh...
Love is both precious and perfect,
The maximum, the best...
The strongest love that could be checked
Could pass each trial and test...
The perfect breeze had calmed the air...
They rested, so serene...
And everyone was quite aware
The king had found his queen.
There was no doubt their love would last
The years until life's end...
For each had found how quick time passed
When with the perfect friend.
They gazed into each other's smile...
Like perfect lovers do...
The perfect pair stayed there a while...
Content, for love was new...
I envy them with all my heart,
For all the joy they've known...
You see, I live my life apart...
Unloved and all alone...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Perfect Pair'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Soul Mates
Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
Lion and lioness,
Thus side-by-side and unafraid,
Portraying happiness...
No growls, no scowls, no random roars,
No bared teeth warnings shared,
No staring eyes, no clutching claws,
Just peace because they cared...
Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
United in their quest,
Together in the sun or shade,
Yet mostly when at rest...
Life's trials were tackled day-by-day
And also night-by-night,
For lions seldom run away
When each one has to fight...
Soul mates they seemed, soul mates they stayed,
This was their destiny,
Such that from this not one had strayed,
For this was meant to be...
No wonder, then, that peace remained,
Each knew their place, no doubt
And from such wisdom much is gained...
And that's what life's about...
Denis Martindale, copyright, December 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Soul Mates'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Beauty
The leopard looked and listened, too,
While seated on the ground...
Observing from its point of view
Then suddenly spellbound...
For while with beauty of its own,
It felt life's beauty shared...
You'd have to have a heart of stone
To say you've never cared...
The leopard looked at all there was,
At sights both near and far,
As if it never came across
The beauty of a star,
The beauty of a waterfall...
The beauty of the plains,
The beauty of both great and small
And life that still remains...
The leopard looked and purred with praise
As if a saint reborn,
Content to live its final days,
No need to feel forlorn.
You see, it knew, we live our time,
Our share in history...
And blessed are those that call sublime
God's greatest gift: beauty...
Denis Martindale, copyright, February 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Beauty'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Young Guns
Two lions lingered, both at rest,
As if they had all day...
All deadly thoughts had been suppressed,
For hunting and for prey...
This was their time, the sun was kind,
A gentle breeze drew near
And so, together, they reclined,
Without one trace of fear...
A slow abiding trust had formed
That blessed each lion's heart...
And friendship grew and then it warmed,
A strong bond to impart...
They knew each other through and through,
Each mood, each train of thought,
Each planning what the two could do,
If prey was to be caught...
This bond would stand the test of time,
No matter, day or night,
This miracle they called sublime
And sensed that it was right...
So they survived the lean, mean years,
Endured them, come what may...
To gain respect from all their peers...
Together, all the way...
Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Young Guns'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Close Family II
The meerkats posed together close,
All staring straight ahead,
Each youngster with a twitching nose
Though healthy and well fed.
Their beady eyes like polka dots,
Were blinking all the time,
Yet they were cherished tiny tots
And thought of as sublime...
Some families are known to part,
To wander far and wide,
Yet meerkats haven't got the heart,
So they stand side-by-side.
Together, like the China wall,
United, good as gold!
It's all for one and one for all,
Like musketeers of old...
If only humans were the same,
All friendly as can be,
Not seeking wealth, not seeking fame,
Just glad that they were free.
Just sharing what God gave Mankind,
This Earth that spins in space...
Like meerkats, I believe we'd find
A smile on every face...
Denis Martindale, copyright, April 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Family II'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Wading In
The tiger knew that it was time
To wash away his woes,
To gently soften all the grime
That stuck between his toes!
That's why the stream seemed so supreme,
His perfect Shangri-La...
Now wading in, as in a dream,
As if into a spa...
The world felt distant, far away,
The water felt so good...
His problems melted, kept at bay,
Beyond this neighbourhood...
No other tigers shared his pool,
How could he come to harm?
And so he let his body cool
Amid the tranquil calm...
Of course he knew it wouldn't last!
He savoured it for now...
And luckily an hour passed,
That's all God would allow...
So up he got, as if reborn,
Blessed, baptised and renewed...
No more the feline so forlorn,
But full of gratitude...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Wading In II'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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In His Prime
The lion strode with confidence,
As if the world were his,
He had no call for eloquence,
What more was there than this?
He felt that he was truly blessed,
Fulfilling destiny...
So far he knew he'd passed each test
And proved supremacy.
Bold courage stirred within his veins,
Fuelled by his valiant heart...
So he surveyed the golden plains,
Where he must play his part.
He'd honed his skills for several years,
He was no amateur...
He felt no need to live with fears
For things that might occur...
He had his own might to withstand
The rigours of his foes
And strategies that he had planned,
If their threats came to blows...
He relished each new minute,
Each moment of his time!
Yes, he was in it to win it...
While he was in his prime...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'In His Prime'.
More Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Sheer Class
The regal lion's earnt his fame
As sovereign lord and more,
His golden fur as if aflame,
His gaze forever sure...
His stature none could dare improve,
For his is quite renowned...
His eyes aware of every move,
His ears of every sound...
Aristocratic... every day...
As if the world were his...
As if all others must obey,
Or things would be amiss...
Behold the king, for such is he,
Behold the noble grace,
Behold the royal majesty
That shines upon his face...
The many battles he has fought
Were won beyond all doubt,
His challengers have come to nought,
Retreated, turned about...
Alone, he is the alpha male,
Of this, no need to guess...
How come he makes all others pale?
Sheer class, no more, no less...
Denis Martindale, copyright, November 2011.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Sheer Class'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Mean And Moody
As leopards go, he's looking good,
But smiling's not his scene...
He thinks he owns the neighbourhood.
We mustn't intervene...
Mean and moody! Quite unfriendly!
In fact, he looks aloof...
He's staring quite intently,
As if with some reproof...
Well, good job, then, he's on his own,
Or he'd put up a fight!
I think we'll leave this guy alone!
Good afternoon! Goodnight!
Yes, goodbye, then, you sour puss,
So glad to see us go...
We weren't a threat so serious
As you would have us know!
We would have shared our sausage rolls,
Our bacon and our ham...
Instead, we'll leave you to your strolls...
And take the hint... and scram...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Mean And Moody'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Close Companions
Two tigers rested, both at peace,
No arguments at all,
No disagreements to release,
No sudden need to brawl...
Serenity was in the air,
Tranquillity sublime...
As if they had all day to spare
And yet not waste their time...
They gently breathed the sunshine in,
As if they felt caressed...
No pesky flies, no tails to spin,
Contented and so blessed...
Was this their dreamworld filled with love?
Was this their answered prayer?
If so, perfection proved enough
That they were glad to share...
If only Man had peace like this!
A place to sculpt or paint,
A paradise of precious bliss,
So delicate, so quaint...
Where music lilted lyrically,
Like waterfalls at play...
Like Heaven, where God's majesty
The angels praise each day...
Denis Martindale, copyright, September 2010.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Companions'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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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.
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
poem by Denis Martindale
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African Monarch
Come, feast your eyes on royalty!
The Lion King and more!
As if God granted some decree
That all observe his law...
For who could doubt the lion lives
As sovereign lord of all?
His one loud roar as proof he gives!
Who can withstand that call?
It causes bravery to crack
And fears are swiftly stirred!
It sends a shiver down your back
The first time that it's heard!
All through his youth, he trains and trains,
Like one in search of prey...
To see him run across the plains
Would take your breath away!
I'd rather stroke a pussycat
Than cuddle close to him...
For if I got as close as that,
I'd be a dead pilgrim!
While it's true, some folks would quibble,
With one called royalty...
To keep a wide berth's sensible...
Quite logical to me...
The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'African Monarch'.
The Stephen Gayford poems can be viewed here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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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
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