Je ne dirai ni oui ni non [English translation]

In the succession of the passing years,

the circle of friends grows.

Then time comes to take their places.

The circle shrinks.

Crying, we light a candle

for the one who has just departed.

But, as my concierge puts it:

"It is better to stay and suffer."

Is that wrong or right?

I will say neither yes nor no.

She waits in the freezing night,

her heart warm and her fingers frozen.

But the men sound good, sound good

and never come to find you.

He had said before the snows began:

"And I will come back for your eyes."

But, as my concierge puts it:

"That sounds great, but it better happen."

Is that wrong or right?

I will say neither yes nor no.

The rich man on his final voyage

is bedecked as if at a banquet.

We might almost believe it to be a marriage

except for the gravity of the guests.

The poor man does without a cortege.

He dies hidden like the birds.

But, as my concierge puts it:

"Out of money, no gravestone."

Is that wrong or right?

I will say neither yes nor no.

Is that wrong or right?

I will say neither yes nor no.