Tender Moments Poem by Denis Martindale

Two zebras somehow formed a bond that neither hoped to break.
Their gentle friendship went beyond what many humans make.
And wistfully, I watched for days, nostalgic for my past,
When I thought love was taking place and that such love would last.
Would these two zebras still be friends? Would friendship grow to love?
They say that true love never ends because it proves enough.
They say no other comes between to lead sweethearts astray,
To tempt, distract or intervene such times destined to stay.

Two zebras stood there face-to-face, contentment in their eyes,
Serene and peaceful, full of grace, with no need to disguise.
In contrast, I was shocked and shy when beauty stole my heart,
My cheeks went red. My mouth went dry. I felt lost from the start.
Yet those two zebras could not speak as humans on a date,
The bond they shared must seem unique to them, at any rate.
But I was prone to love and lose, to dream yet dream in vain,
And only fit to pick and choose, yet not one kiss to gain.

My time had come to leave behind the land where zebras roam,
Without the time to change my mind, I had to journey home.
No sweethearts' photos waited there, no thankful wife or child,
Yet I knew God heard every prayer, so I felt reconciled.
Perhaps my final days alone were destined to be sad,
No tender moments daily known, no child to call me Dad!
Yes, I look back on moments when I hoped to win somehow!
But those I loved wed better men! So I accept that now!


Denis Martindale, for the 3rd of February 2024.


The poem is about the magnificent wildlife painting,
Tender Moments, by the UK artist Stephen Gayford.