In Deepest Shadow

White tigers live until their time, Yet, uptil then, behold... For each was born to look sublime, Like silver, not like gold... The Bengal tigers aren't like these, Black stripes against the white... As if created just to please, Inspire and delight... There's such a blessing in their eyes That stare with topaz blue, Like tanzanite or pale sapphires Each time they look at you... Respect for them just grows and grows, As if that's meant to be... Not that you'd want to stand too close, To gaze on royalty... Behold the magic that they cast, In deepest shadow's spell... As dusk approaches till it's past And daytime bids farewell... Beneath the moon, their eyes shine on, Like beacons in the night! Until the next day's sun has shone, Revealing black and white... Denis Martindale, copyright, October 2011. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'In Deepest Shadow'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com