With the “ Pictures at an Exhibition”
you wanted to pay tribute
to your friend that had died one year ago.

There was emotion in your gesture
but you did not know then
that we would lose five of his paintings.

The Ballet des poussins, Goldenberg and Schmuyle,
the catacombs of Paris and the gate of Kiev
escort now only one painting.

Thanks to you, the lost paintings
exist through the colors of your music
and the memory of humanity.

After all these years, even in delay,
we would simply like to say thank you
in the name of friendship of the future.