Venice is not (oh no, it’s not)
A waterway under a bridge
Spaghetti aswirl in a fancy pot
A carnival mystery rich
Venice is bliss (oh yes, it is)
Sweet and innately bright
Something that never will lose its fizz
Turning mundane and trite
Venice is full (just look around)
Of phantoms and ancient spells
Fluid enchantment eternity bound
A bottomless wishing well
Unlike what everybody thinks
Venice will never sink
And after everything is gone
Venice will flow right on
Like time elusive in the extreme
A fleeting recurring dream
Francesco Guardi, Venice from the Bacino di San Marco, c.1765–75