Good day, readers. Today is June 4th, the 156th day of the year 2024, with 210 days remaining.
Every moment is a fresh beginning.
T.S. Eliot
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1783, the Montgolfier brothers publicly demonstrated their montgolfière (hot air balloon) in Annonay, France. This event not only marked a significant advancement in human flight but also sparked imaginations and influenced a variety of literary works that explore themes of adventure, innovation, and the boundless possibilities of human ingenuity.
Notable Birthdays:
Angelina Jolie, born on June 4, 1975, is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. While primarily known for her work in film, Jolie’s powerful influence on popular culture and her active engagement in global humanitarian efforts have made her a frequent subject in biographies and inspire discussions about the role of celebrities in advocacy and charity.
Today’s Readings:
From Middlemarch by George Eliot: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 4th, 1928, the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was completed after over 70 years of development. This monumental work remains a cornerstone of English language scholarship and has had a profound influence on literature and education worldwide.
Poem of the Day:
“Renascence” by Edna St. Vincent Millay:
All I could see from where I stood
Was three long mountains and a wood;
I turned and looked another way,
And saw three islands in a bay.
So with my eyes I traced the line
Of the horizon, thin and fine,
Straight around till I was come
Back to where I’d started from;
And all I saw from where I stood
Was three long mountains and a wood.
Over these things I could not see:
These were the things that bounded me;
And I could touch them with my hand,
Almost, I thought, from where I stand.
And all at once things seemed so small
My breath came short, and scarce at all.
But, sure, the sky is big, I said;
Miles and miles above my head;
So here upon my back I’ll lie
And look my fill into the sky.
This poem captures a moment of profound revelation and personal transformation as the speaker experiences a deep connection with the expansive beauty of the natural world, reflecting themes of renewal and the vast scope of human perception.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by T.S. Eliot’s reminder of beginnings, consider how you can introduce fresh starts into your narratives or perhaps begin a new project that has been lingering in your mind. Use the sense of beginning as a powerful narrative force to explore new themes, characters, or settings in your writing.
Have an inspiring and innovative day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may every moment bring you a new beginning in your literary explorations.