Snail Smelling Lotus



 Stop to Smell the Roses

A snail has emerged out
of its shell to smell
the lake's lotus blossom.

It's time for us to slow
down our hectic lives—
stop to smell the roses.

A harvest mouse climbs
to the topmost stalk to smell
the flower's fragrance.

A rabbit stopped running
when it found red roses
for relaxation.

A ground squirrel is in
dreamland with eyes closed
savoring heaven's perfume.

Another squirrel smells
at daisies— its secret
of joy everlasting.

My favorite photo is
squirrel kissing sunflower—
completely blissed out.

— Peter Y. Chou
     Mountain View, 1-22-2022


Harvest Mouse & Flower


Rabbit Smelling Roses


Squirrel & Flowers


Squirrel & Daisies


Squirrel Blissed Out