Solitude: African Leopard Poem by Denis Martindale

I watched a leopard, wild and free,
That helped to make my day,
A lonesome leopard there to see
That took my breath away!
Just like a childhood memory
That brought to mind again,
When travelling with my family
On each fast-moving train!

The times as children, we cried out
When we saw sheep or cows,
To suddenly release a shout
To see them as they browse!
Yet now this leopard caught my eyes
And, oh, man, what a thrill,
When there, he took me by surprise
While resting on that hill.

I wondered what would come to pass
If he would flee or stay,
I watched with my binoculars
And saw him run away.
He moved so fast from left to right
To end my interlude,
As if he found foremost delight
In perfect solitude.

An hour spent, invested well,
Reflecting what life is,
That's wondrous! More than words could tell,
Except that it's pure bliss!
Apart from every neighbourhood,
From family and friends!
A private time, that's understood!
Sublime until it ends!


Denis Martindale, for the 3rd of February 2025.


Just the other day, I watched a TV Travel show.
City Breaks TV presenter Asmita Sood visited the
Jawai River region as it's a place to spot leopards!

Asmita showed the viewers an adult leopard on a hill.
Using binoculars, she showed us the leopard running.
She had never seen a leopard move as fast as this.
The lady watched the leopard in utter amazement.
And I can tell you, it's true to say that I did, too.

It was like the Stephen Gayford painting I had recently
seen on the Internet called Solitude: African Leopard.
I've got a framed print in my kitchen, so I was thrilled!