How many time do we smile without wanting to,
With hatred welling up in our hearts,
Just to satisfy a simple social convention,
At the moment of an introduction.
If I had known, that I would have found you at that party,
I wouldn't have spoiled your pleasure,
Because if I hadn't been there, I wouldn't be remembering
A past that made us suffer so much.
There in a corner, I spotted an old rival of mine,
An ex-friend,
Who awaited the fatal scandal.
I turned pale as a ghost, yellow, tabby,
With terror,
Unable to come up with a good idea.
I still remember that, all of sudden, we were
Face to face,
In that instant, cooler than ice,
And smiling, you clasped my hand,
Saying:
"I'm very pleased to meet you."
How many times, do we smile without wanting to...
And I noticed that somebody, impatient
And disgruntled,
Would rebuke you later.
Now jealous, I didn't even want to know
How much more pleasure
I would have had in not knowing you.
"I'm very pleased to meet you."