The pebble
is a perfect creature
equal to itself
mindful of its limits
filled exactly
with a pebbly meaning
with a scent that does not remind one of anything
does not frighten anything away does not arouse desire
its ardour 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
– Pebbles cannot be tamed
to the end they will look at us
with a calm and very clear eye
– Zbigniew Herbert
Translated by Peter Dale Scott and Czeslaw Milosz.
Submitted by Hema.
Tagged: nature, philosophy, translation, truth, Zbigniew Herbert