Beauty and the Beast

Dark, glossy hair. White, flawless skin.
Curvaceous figure. Round yet slim.
A perfectly proportioned nose.
Lightly powdered red cheeks aglow.

Grey, matted hair. Old wrinkled skin.
Pathetic figure. Frail and thin.
A crooked nose with ugly wart.
Scarred cheeks on which an army fought.

Moist lips form a passionate pout.
But love's messengers are without.
Hands for whom many men would die.
But love's caressers idle by.

Cracked lips whose coldness spans an age.
Gnarled hands who only turn the page.
She was as lonely yesterday.
Just lonely in another way.

Ugliness, beauty, age and youth.
Which face is it that shows the truth?
Perhaps the faces are just one.
Perhaps the truth is shown by none.