Mallard Poem by Denis Martindale

Behold the colours on this bird,
Take note of all you see,
And by such beauty then get stirred,
When matched by scenery.
For in such settings here alone
He stands out from the crowd,
On centre stage, the stage to own,
Yet humble and not proud.

The mallard sees the mountain tops,
And gently glides on by,
Because for these it seldom stops,
Just flies across the sky.
I gaze at all God's flying things
With envy now and then,
Though wishing that I, too, had wings,
I stay as other men.

So pardon me, if I must gaze,
At birds and bumble bees,
Like Leonardo spending days
Still sketching what would please.
Take note of wonders near and far,
Not just the skies above,
Because the mallard is a star,
Just like the dainty dove.


Denis Martindale, the 5th of June 2023.


The poem is based on the magnificent wildlife
art painting by UK artist Stephen Gayford.