The Boss came in smiling bright:

I had an epiphany during the night

On how to raise the sales of our units!

Leave all the work, it will take a few minutes.

Since I am no tyrant, but a leader for true,

I'm willing to share my wisdom with you:

Our product is perfect; we know it for sure.

But there's more users that we need to allure.

That's why I invented this brilliant plan:

Let's add a label - BIG RED LETTERS on the can!

What label, we already have many:

“Gluten-free”, “user-friendly”, “no-fats”, are we missing any?

Boss gave us again his radiant smile:

NO SUGARS ADDED!

We gazed for a while…

But Boss is the Boss, so we all embraced what he said.

Soon all of us started to sketch the big letters in red.

Finally, we came up with the perfect rendition.

It's on sale now: “NO SUGARS ADDED” facemasks - 2023 edition.

They use my name as a byword for slow.

Mock at their own species and in spite of all

Claiming that they're the most superior creatures,

Their five senses allow them to see only one of my features.

How about the rest?

If I were a human I would be considered the best.

Why not? I'm blue-blooded, self-sufficient, independent.

I don't need anyone to have and raise my own descendants.

When I don't like the weather I simply stay home.

When I don't like the place, I can leave anytime, on my own.

And, when you carry your whole world, come rain or shine, or snow.

You can afford this indulgence - to be slow.

As long as you know

Where you're going

And until you reach the end of the road there's no way of knowing

If this was the right thing to do.

Finally, here's my message to you:

I hope someday common sense in your kind will prevail

And it will be an honor to call someone a snail.

I've seen flowers cracking the stone.

I've seen rivers carving the mountains.

I've seen stranded pets making their way home,

All alone, with no one to guide them.

I've seen ants carrying their own weight in load.

I've seen bees giving their lives for their queen.

I've seen snails crawling for days, crossing the road.

Sparrows playing in puddles I've seen.

I've seen pigeons waiting in line for the slide.

I've seen ravens sharing their meal.

I've seen seagulls faking an injury on one side

Just to convince the spectator to feed them for real.

I've seen dogs barking because of a lie,

Insulted their intellect is being neglected.

I've seen cats bringing their prey as a try

To show men how hunt can be perfected.

I've seen frogs gathering to worship a song.

Crows giving their fish as a present I've seen.

I've seen crabs dancing with no music on.

I've seen spiders descending to say "hi" for Halloween.

I've seen lizards enjoying the warmth of the sunshine.

I've seen bugs feigning their own demise.

I've seen hamsters chirping, excited for lunchtime.

I've seen ugly worms turn into beautiful butterflies.

I've seen cockroaches running in circles

As if they are training for race.

I've seen freestyle swimming from turtles

Away from the crowd, in the morning haze.

I've seen saplings hiding between

Their old "brothers" in storm.

Later growing a crown like a king's

Thus keeping the old ones in form.

It seems to me we, humans, are a little bit lost

As to the all living things that are cogs in the wheel.

If we perceive that this is what matters the most

Maybe our world will improve and be healed.

Glad I am that I found this place,

A shelter from the everyday storm

Let me first, before showing my face,

Introduce myself - this is the norm.

New to this motley crowd I am,

Although I write since the 80s.

Books I have written on paper with pen.

Amazon published some of them lately.

Royalties zero I have received,

As nobody wanted to buy.

So, after a few hours of grief

Humbly decided to give it a try.

Kindle behind, I aimed for the contests

And here I am now - joining the latest.

- Do you remember...

- I don't. All memories from my past are erased.

- How come?

- I won't tell you my flaws, they are not to be praised.

- Still there's nothing that comes to your mind?

- Nothing, blind spots, blurred shadows, pictures of something unclear.

- Aren't you really one of a kind!

- Hope so, otherwise there's a good reason for fear.

- Why so? Isn't it good to let go of all the bad things that trouble your sleep?

- I prefer them to stay as long as I know that the good ones remain, those I wish to keep.

It's our memories that make us unique.

Our life - worthy of living.

Alas, we are not the ones to pick

Which one to stay and which to give in.

And when your entire past withers with time

When it's too late to search for a cure

You have two choices - heads or tails of the dime,

Either to grieve or to accept and inure.