Good day, readers. Today is June 23rd, the 175th day of the year 2024, with 191 days remaining.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was published. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a cornerstone of American literature, addressing profound themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of young Scout Finch.
Notable Birthdays:
June Jordan, born on June 23, 1936, was an influential American poet, essayist, and activist. Her work often explored themes of race, gender, and social justice, and she was a passionate advocate for civil rights. Jordan’s poetry and essays continue to inspire and challenge readers worldwide.
Today’s Readings:
From The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 23rd, 1858, Edna St. Vincent Millay, an American lyrical poet and playwright, was born. Known for her captivating sonnets and unconventional life, Millay won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, making her one of the most celebrated poets of her time.
Poem of the Day:
“The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry:
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry’s poem offers a serene reflection on finding solace in nature amidst the tumult of human concerns. Its calming tone and evocative imagery are a soothing contrast to the often complex human emotions explored in the literary readings and historical notes of the day. This poem encourages readers to find peace and perspective in the natural world, making it a wonderful addition to the day’s literary offerings.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Marcel Proust’s quote, think about how changing your perspective can refresh your writing. Explore familiar settings or themes with “new eyes” to discover unique angles and deeper insights that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Have a day of enlightening reading and imaginative writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary voyages be filled with new discoveries and profound revelations.