Dolly Poem by Denis Martindale

The horse named Dolly stood quite still as I took pictures there,
For me, it was a wondrous thrill, though she stood debonair.
As if this happened every day, as if without a fuss,
As if to her, this felt O.K., and thus she posed for us.
Soon after this, the rider gave her time to turn and move,
There was no cause to misbehave, with nothing left to prove.
She trotted off, ran left to right, returned to me and then
I took more photos with delight and got another ten.

I set the camera's zoom in close to catch those sparkling eyes,
With her to pose there nose-to-nose, but she felt no surprise.
Her eyes looked like black pearls to me as I stood there beguiled.
As if they held serenity known only to a child.
And suddenly, I said to her, 'My word, you're wonderful.
The kind of beauty I prefer, as if some miracle.'
And then I said my sad farewell, although I'd gladly stay.
Her photos had their tale to tell, and so I walked away.

At home and in my studio, the photos made me smile,
I'd caught the beauty I must show, the essence of her style.
Her form, her stature and her grace, her joy of life and more,
I'd caught the beauty of her face that others could explore.
That's when I chose to paint the scene, a testament to youth.
The early years and what they mean to those who know the truth.
We have our seasons in the sun, we run, we smile, we pray.
Until God finds us, one by one, to call us home one day.


Denis Martindale, for the 4th of April,2025.


This poem is about the magnificent horse painting
called Dolly by UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford.