A Kudu In The Wild Poem by Denis Martindale

A kudu is a two-horned deer with white stripes on each side,
Extended ears, stretched wide to hear as if to serve its guide.
Its coat and horns are brown to gold, above the grass so green,
There's not much more that's left untold as it stands there, serene.
Despite these facts that I present, I'd not seen one before,
Yet knowing this makes me content because there's always more.
A little bird or butterfly exists as yet unknown,
On seeing these, I say, 'Oh, my! ' In this, I'm not alone!

For there are old folks just like me who surf the Internet!
Search engines have such sights to see, so many we can get!
Paintings, photos, and cartoons, too, and precious videos,
And millions more, not just a few! That's why our wonder grows.
The kudu deer is found online in sizes great and small,
A change, this time, in its design, yet still a miracle.
To think this creature still survives with others of its kind,
Just chewing grass, they live their lives for years, yet they don't mind.

And all the time, Man perseveres, builds towns and roads and such,
Each deer knows that time disappears, and they don't care that much.
Folks work to get each pension due, and some work day and night,
And yet, each kudu has no clue concerning this insight.
Man has the feet, Man has the hands, Man has the intellect,
Each kudu deer has no such plans but what food to select.
Compare both creatures, if you will, if wise or innocent,
If each is harmless or could kill. Which one is more content?


Denis Martindale. June 11th,2025.


This poem is about the magnificent painting
by the UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford.
The painting's title is A Kudu Deer In The Wild.

Even so, the Kudu deer is just another creature
that Man sees as lower than himself.

The Kudu deer doesn't build any nuclear bombs.
The Kudu deer doesn't create biological warfare.
It eats grass. It stays alive. It is beautiful.