Good day, readers. Today is May 12th, the 133rd day of the year 2024, with 233 days remaining.
Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
Harriet Tubman
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1828, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, an English poet, illustrator, painter, and translator, was born. A founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Rossetti’s work is characterized by its medieval revivalism and its connection to Romanticism, blending poetry with visual arts in a way that significantly influenced Victorian culture.
Notable Birthdays:
Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910), an English social reformer, statistician, and the founder of modern nursing, was born on this day. Nightingale’s extensive writings on health care reform, hospital planning, and the importance of sanitation in medical practices have impacted not just healthcare but also public policy literature.
Today’s Readings:
From The House of Life by Dante Gabriel Rossetti: “Love is the last relay and ultimate outpost of eternity.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On May 12, 1937, George VI was crowned King of the United Kingdom, an event that influenced British literature significantly, particularly in how it shaped the portrayal of the monarchy during a period of great social and political change, including the lead-up to World War II.
Poem of the Day:
“Love After Love” by Derek Walcott:
The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
This beautiful poem by Derek Walcott speaks to the theme of self-rediscovery and self-love, emphasizing the importance of accepting and celebrating oneself after the end of a relationship or phase in life.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Florence Nightingale’s meticulous approach to her work and writings, consider how your passion can lead to reform or change in society. Writing with a purpose can not only provide personal fulfillment but also drive social awareness and transformation.
Have an inspiring and transformative day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your journey be as enriching as the lives of those who inspire us.