There ugliness in beauty

There ugliness in beauty 

The random thought came suddenly to mind
While looking at palaces of Venice, drowning in waters
Smelly, polluted with an odor of centuries rotted underneath
The dead cats floating in it along with other sewage
The contradictory in terms for eyes to gaze ,for senses to absorb

Those same waters dancing under moonlight magic touch
Caressed by gondolas , transporting the romantic couples
The sighs , the kisses amidst the ancient canals echo
Alluring for the lovers coming to feel five hundred years old spirit
Only to feel strong stench, surprising noses with
Boring weights of it for sake of buildings swimming in the mirror image

Amazed I to see the ugliness under good looking face
The mouth opens , denuding heart of darkness
The wiggling snake , spitting the venom out
Crossing the outer angelic appearance
Looks can be deceiving as mirage in desert

Brave flower in greyness of the asphalt jungles
Or smiling eyes of the survivor after the earthquake
Telling the story from other side of medal
Begging the age old question of what constitute true beauty

by Margaret Gudkov