Stench

I’m sitting by the river,
Just relaxing on a bench,
When I’m suddenly accosted
By an unaccustomed stench.

I look around but do not see
A reason for the smell.
It’s coming from the water, then,
As far as I can tell.

The question that I pose myself
Is – what am I to do?
Sacrifice olfactory nerves
Or sacrifice the view?

In life, it’s not all positives
That come to us each day.
The rippling waves have tipped the scales –
I’ll hold my nose and stay!