You Are Harder Than Stone

Iraqi style
English

You Are Harder Than Stone

The idol-worshipper plants a thousand kisses on a stone that can bring neither harm nor good, no sign of either. You, my idol, are not made of stone; you are harder than stone, since no one can ever land a kiss upon your lips!
Explanation: The poet plays on 'bot' (idol), a common term for a beautiful, cold-hearted beloved, contrasting a stone idol that at least accepts kisses with a beloved who refuses even that.

Original · Persian

قطعه شمارهٔ ۱۵ - تو از سنگ سخت‌تری!

هزار بوسه دهد بت‌پرست بر سنگی که ضر و نفع محالست ازو نشان دادن
تو بت! ز سنگ نه‌ای بل ز سنگ سخت‌تری که بر دهان تو بوسی نمی‌توان دادن!