Good day, readers. Today is June 18th, the 170th day of the year 2024, with 196 days remaining.
The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.
Muriel Rukeyser
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1815, the Battle of Waterloo took place, marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars. This historical event has inspired countless literary works, including Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, where he dedicates a significant section to this monumental battle, weaving its impact into his characters’ lives.
Notable Birthdays:
Salman Rushdie, born on June 18, 1947, is an acclaimed British-Indian novelist known for his intricate and imaginative storytelling. His novel Midnight’s Children won the Booker Prize and is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, exploring the partition of India through a magical realist lens.
Today’s Readings:
From The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: “But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 18th, 1994, the UN Special Committee on Apartheid bestowed the title of “Messenger of Peace” on South African president Nelson Mandela, honoring his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation. Mandela’s writings, including his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, have become essential readings for understanding his life’s impact and the broader struggle against apartheid.
Poem of the Day:
“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver:
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Mary Oliver’s poem encourages readers to embrace their true selves and find their place in the natural world. Its themes of acceptance, connection, and belonging make it a fitting reflection for today’s literary explorations.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Muriel Rukeyser’s quote, consider how your writing contributes to the vast tapestry of human stories. Think about the stories that matter most to you and how they can resonate with others, creating connections that transcend individual experiences.
Have a thoughtful and inspired day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your storytelling illuminate the shared universe of our collective imagination.