Snow Gentian Poem by Denis Martindale

How delicate some flowers are, as fragile as could be,
Just like this one, this sweet blue star, a true delight to see.
The kind that makes you stop and stare and study while you can,
The kind that melts away each care, as if that seemed God's plan.
Yes, colours have a special power that complements design,
By adding beauty to each flower, regardless, yours or mine.
Yet there is wildlife Man protects, conserving here and there,
Endangered species Man selects to grant these extra care.

Though Man disrupts the countryside and skims from west to east,
And at results he's often sighed, repentantly at least.
Enough! he stubbornly admits. It's time to think again!
And rips his former plans to bits enough to act right then.
The flowers haven't got a clue, the creatures pay no heed,
No flowers fear what Man could do, no creatures sense the need.
Mankind acts wise or plays the fool, the choice is his to make,
Our children learn the facts in school not just for wisdom's sake.

Ecology makes all things new, it makes the deserts bloom,
Yes, that's how all the flowers grew, there's no need to presume.
But Man must curb his selfishness so species co-exist,
Because he knows that God will bless what rules he must enlist.
God made all things, both great and small, the fragile and the strong,
With each design a miracle, each purposed to belong.
How delicate some flowers are, as fragile as could be,
Just like this one, this sweet blue star, a true delight to see.


Denis Martindale, for the 19th of January 2024.


The poem is about the magnificent nature painting by the
UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford called Snow Gentian.
Google shows results that give extra details about flowers
to reveal some are protected by law so they may survive.