***
The stone
is a perfect creature
equal to itself
obedient to its limits
filled exactly
with a story meaning
with a scent which does not remind one of anything
does not frighten anything away does not arouse desire
its ardor and coldness
are just and full of dignity
I feel a heavy remorse
when I hold it in my hand
and its noble body
is permeated by false warmth
Stones cannot be tamed
to the end they will look at us
with a calm very clear eye
Zbigniew Herbert
Na jęz. angielski przełożył Czesław Miłosz
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