Jacques Chirac - Farewell To Your Gentleness And Grace (A Tribute To Ex-President Jacques Chirac) Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

And as I go, I place before you
every memory which was incited by my fate
and that which was engraved by my work;
When I asked God to make all my dreams come true
I felt anew every time as a President or as a Mayor I stood;
my dedication was to humanity and to my country
and I did all what I had to do in my time of rule
always believing that it wasthe right step to take;
And though as Presidents many things we do
some which are good for our country are never spoken aloud
but the things we do which are otherwise,
become so unforgettable and remain back on the shelves as history.
And now as I go, where will I take all these?
but at the feet of this planet remain all the wealth and treasures
as empty handed one has to go;
and though I did what all I had to do
to keep my country and its people in prosperity
I felt it was all so necessary
as you had given me those votes I asked you
you had chosen me to be there for you over those years
sharing friendships, sharing happiness
sharing difficulties and hardships.
I served you as a mayor and as a president
I even served a sentence as age and efforts
posed so many questions to which there were no answers;
but now my friends, I ask you for only a prayer
so that in the cradle of peace I can rest my head
as life has been so long and winding.
In the lap of Paris by the Champs Elysees
I lived with resilience and a smile on my face forever;
so don't let a tear roll down your cheeks
as my gentleness and grace I will carry with me
as I go, as I go………so don't weep even if you want to.