Da bienes Fortuna
que no están escritos.
Da bienes Fortuna
que no están escritos —
Cuando pitos,
flautas.
Cuando flautas,
pitos.
Fortune presents gifts
not according to the book.
Fortune presents gifts
not according to the book —
When you expect whistles,
it’s flutes.
When you expect flutes,
it’s whistles.
Lines from “Da bienes Fortuna,” a letrilla by Luis de Góngora (1561-1627), 1581.
Photos by Rick Stachura. Hell Gate waters on the East River. July 2, 2020.