Forest Water Hole

'Oh, what a day! ', the tiger thought, 'So hot, so very hot! ' So when his strength had come to nought, He sought a cooler spot... It was as if he pined for this, Like one who understands, Because he knew what joy there is In making future plans... The water hole awaited those Who knew its blessings well, The ones in whom God's favour grows, Each with some tale to tell... And when that tiger waded in, He savoured his retreat, He greeted it with such a grin, As if life seemed so sweet... Wet legs and back and whiskers, too, Heat fading fast away, Yet all that tiger had to do Was stay there... simply stay... And once the healing waters flowed, That tiger's heart was glad, Because, by grace, that hour showed Life wasn't all that bad! Denis Martindale May 2017. A poem based on the magnificent Stephen Gayford wildlife painting. Google search phrases gayford prints and Stephen Gayford poetry and also for Heaven and Earth Designs...