Mother Cheetah Poem by Denis Martindale

The Mother Cheetah stood her ground
Surveying all to see,
In silence, not a single sound,
Portraying mystery...
As if some strange event was close,
Not knowing good or bad,
Because such truths God only knows,
The future, glad or sad...

I watched intrigued, my camera raised,
Then waited, poised like her,
For sudden movement when she chased,
Expecting just a blur...
Then off she ran, my camera tracked,
As I panned left to right,
The prey was caught with such impact,
No chance for further flight...

I couldn't take a picture though,
Some photos I can choose,
Instead of yes, my heart said, 'No..'
And then I must refuse...
My awesome photo had to wait,
Another time and place,
Because I'd rather celebrate
That cheetah's style and grace...


Denis Martindale, copyright July 2016.


A poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting
by Stephen Gayford. Google-search phrases
gayford prints and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.