Duck Waterfowl Poem by Denis Martindale

I stared upon the wooden frame and at the picture, too,
To focus there, my second aim, the colours meant to view.
The frame itself was neatly done and rarely seen on sale,
The picture seemed a fragile one, yet history told its tale.
Of some bird seen as beautiful, deserving of some love,
As if cute, and adorable, and thus reasons enough.
Yes, the Stephen Gayford study showed details quite sublime,
Just for this day and just for me, through forty years of time.

I'd seen such studies sold before, by sellers from abroad,
Although well-liked, hard to ignore, but too much to afford.
I merely had the photos shown that time had still preserved,
As if to treasure, all my own, a legacy unearthed.
I checked the larger photos shared, then saved their image files,
To join the archives I've prepared of different plumage styles.
It's good to learn how Nature thrives, through changes now and then,
Varieties, so some survive, in ways beyond our ken.

This little duck walked to the right, its colours not concealed,
In fact, they were a pure delight, for many were revealed.
A striking black, a striking blue, with mellow gold and red,
With shiny white stripes noticed, too, one just below the head.
And tiny dots were shown as eyes, so very, very small,
And so much so, with some surprise, these seemed a miracle.
God can design so many things, with colours here and there,
No wonder as the Kings of Kings, the Lord's beyond compare!


Denis Martindale, the 24th of December 2022.


The poem is about the magnificent wildlife art painting by
UK artist Stephen Gayford. Many prints get sold in UK
auctions yet it's rare that prints get sold outside the UK.