Cooling Off Time...

The tiger wasn't quite as pleased As when his day began, The temperature had much increased, Thus he no longer ran... The shady brook enticed him near With promised pleasures soon, With one intent now crystal clear, Stay upright and don't swoon... His noble head was spinning round, As if within a haze, But then the brook was sweetly found And so he took his place... The water gentle next to fur, The ripples spreading light, The outside world became a blur, As every care took flight... And so he mellowed 'neath the sun, Blocked by the spreading trees, The healing time had just begun, His tensions to release... 'The lucky so and so! ', I thought! 'He beat me going in! ' And what a lesson that has taught... Sometimes, I just can't win! Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2014. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford, nb Google search gayfordgallery. Find more wildlife poems using Google search for the search phrase Stephen Gayford poetry.