Anna Dembska

compositions: lyrics

¡Mira! (New York Harasses Sor Juana)

(an approximate translation)

She laments her fate, hints of her aversion to vice, and justifies her diversion with the Muses

— Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz

 

In persecuting me, World, what interests you? How do I offend you, when my only intention
is to put beauty into my understanding
and not put my understanding into beauties.

I don't appreciate treasures or wealth
and thus I am always more content
to put riches into my thoughts
and not put my thoughts into riches.

 

And I don't care for beauty that, conquered,
is the civil plunder of the ages
nor do treacherous riches please me

believing it better
to exhaust the vanities of life
than to exhaust life with vanities

New York remarks

— from New Yorkers and NYC storefront and newspaper advertising

 

Look! (etc.)

 


make good money!
call now!
explosive sale!
invest your money wisely!
listen! listen to me!
buy!

how pretty!
fortunate the eyes! (to be looking at you)
look, cutie! look, foxy lady!
how good-looking! how good-looking you are!
when you decorate yourself, you look so pretty. what bug bit her?
beautify your life with plastic surgery!
what a pretty girl!