Young Gorilla, Too... Poem by Denis Martindale

I stared amazed upon his head
Because it seemed so small,
Yet young gorillas would instead
In time grow strong and tall...
But now, he had a fragile frame,
A frail thing to behold,
Devoid of stature and of fame,
Too gentle to be bold...

Defenceless to a large degree,
Of dangers unaware,
In need of utmost courtesy
And tender loving care...
And that seemed strange considering
His parents had to hold
So gingerly this precious thing,
To them, worth more than gold...

For some, long life explains so much,
The young ones grow each day,
Enjoying every single touch,
The chance to rest or play...
This young gorilla must endure,
So Nature could create
His full-grown grandour, to be sure,
His destiny, his fate...


Denis Martindale, copyright February 2016.


Poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting,
by artist Stephen Gayford. Google-search
gayfordgallery and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.