Good day, readers. Today is May 14th, the 135th day of the year 2024, with 231 days remaining.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1686, Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, the German physicist and engineer who developed the Fahrenheit temperature scale, was born. While known primarily for his contributions to science, his work has influenced many discussions in scientific and philosophical literature about the nature of measurement and perception.
Notable Birthdays:
Robert Zemeckis, born on May 14, 1952, is an American filmmaker best known for directing films that blend innovative technology with compelling narrative, such as Back to the Future and Forrest Gump. His work has not only entertained millions but also sparked discussions about the intersection of technology and storytelling.
Today’s Readings:
From Forrest Gump (novel by Winston Groom, adapted into a film by Robert Zemeckis): “Being an idiot is no box of chocolates.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On May 14th, 1607, the English settlers landed at Jamestown, Virginia. This event marked the beginning of what would become the United States of America and has been explored in numerous historical texts and novels, which discuss the complexities and consequences of colonization and cultural exchange.
Poem of the Day:
“The Layers” by Stanley Kunitz:
I have walked through many lives,
some of them my own,
and I am not who I was,
though some principle of being
abides, from which I struggle
not to stray.
When I look behind,
as I am compelled to look
before I can gather strength
to proceed on my journey,
I see the milestones dwindling
toward the horizon
and the slow fires trailing
from the abandoned camp-sites,
over which scavenger angels
wheel on heavy wings.
Oh, I have made myself a tribe
out of my true affections,
and my tribe is scattered!
How shall the heart be reconciled
to its feast of losses?
In a rising wind,
the manic dust of my friends,
those who fell along the way,
bitterly stings my face.
Yet I turn, I turn,
exulting somewhat,
with my will intact to go
wherever I need to go,
and every stone on the road
precious to me.
In my darkest night,
when the moon was covered
and I roamed through wreckage,
a nimbus-clouded voice
directed me:
“Live in the layers,
not on the litter.”
Though I lack the art
to decipher it,
no doubt the next chapter
in my book of transformations
is already written.
I am not done with my changes.
This reflective poem by Stanley Kunitz speaks to the journey of life and personal evolution, emphasizing resilience and the acceptance of change as integral to the human experience.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt’s encouragement to dream boldly, consider how you can inspire your readers to envision a better future through your writing. Whether through speculative fiction, visionary essays, or motivational narratives, let your words ignite hope and foster belief in the potential for personal and collective progress.
Have a dream-filled and inspiring day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your beliefs shape a beautiful future and your literary endeavors enrich the world.