The Muses Companion – June 16, 2024

Good day, readers. Today is June 16th, the 168th day of the year 2024, with 198 days remaining.

The only journey is the one within.

Rainer Maria Rilke

Today in Literary History:

On this day in 1904, James Joyce’s Ulysses is set, famously known as “Bloomsday” after the novel’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom. This day is celebrated worldwide by Joyce enthusiasts who relive the events of the novel in Dublin and beyond, honoring Joyce’s revolutionary stream-of-consciousness writing that captures a single day in exquisite detail.

Notable Birthdays:

Laurie Lee, born on June 16, 1914, was an English poet, novelist, and screenwriter best known for his autobiographical trilogy which includes Cider with Rosie. Lee’s lyrical prose captures the essence of English rural life and the passage of time, evoking nostalgia and a deep sense of place.

Today’s Readings:

From The Waves by Virginia Woolf: “I was not one and simple, but complex and many.”

Literary Fact of the Day:

On June 16th, 1938, the International Surrealist Exhibition opened in Paris. This event, involving artists and writers like Salvador Dalí and André Breton, showcased works that challenged conventional perceptions of art and reality, influencing countless writers to explore dreams, the unconscious, and the bizarre in their work.

Poem of the Day:

“The Waking” by Theodore Roethke:

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go.

This villanelle by Roethke explores the cyclical nature of existence, meditation, and self-discovery. Its repetitive, contemplative format captures the essence of personal journey and introspection, echoing today’s quote by Rilke about the inward journey.

Advice for Writers:

Inspired by Bloomsday, consider how you might capture a single day or even a moment with as much depth and nuance as possible in your writing. Explore the stream of consciousness as a narrative technique to delve into the intricate thoughts and emotions of your characters, revealing their complexities and the richness of ordinary life.

May your day be as insightful and profound as the literary journeys you undertake. Until tomorrow, remember that every word you write is a step on the path of self-discovery.