Good day, readers. Today is June 24th, the 176th day of the year 2024, with 190 days remaining.
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
E.E. Cummings
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1916, Mary Wesley, a British novelist known for her sharp wit and keen observations of human nature, was born. Wesley’s novels, including The Camomile Lawn and Jumping the Queue, often explore the complexities of relationships and the intricacies of social norms with humor and insight.
Notable Birthdays:
Ambrose Bierce, born on June 24, 1842, was an American short story writer, journalist, and satirist. Known for his darkly sardonic style, Bierce’s most famous work, The Devil’s Dictionary, is a satirical lexicon that remains a classic of American literature for its biting wit and cynicism.
Today’s Readings:
From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 24th, 1947, Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine UFOs over Mount Rainier, Washington, which led to the coining of the term “flying saucer.” This event sparked widespread interest in extraterrestrial life and has since inspired countless works of science fiction, exploring themes of human curiosity and the unknown.
Poem of the Day:
“The Laughing Heart” by Charles Bukowski:
Your life is your life.
Don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
Be on the watch.
There are ways out.
There is light somewhere.
It may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
Be on the watch.
The gods will offer you chances.
Know them.
Take them.
You can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
And the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
Your life is your life.
Know it while you have it.
You are marvelous.
The gods wait to delight
in you.
Bukowski’s poem is a powerful reminder to embrace life’s possibilities and resist the forces that seek to diminish our spirit. Its message of resilience and self-worth aligns beautifully with today’s theme of finding joy and meaning in everyday moments.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by E.E. Cummings’ quote about the importance of laughter, consider how humor can enhance your writing. Think about how moments of levity can provide relief in your narrative, develop character depth, and connect with readers on a personal level.
Wishing you a day filled with laughter and creativity, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary adventures bring joy and inspiration to your lives.
Oh I love the Bukowski poem….and the rest of it, as usual superb!
Weirdly I can’t like your posts in the WordPress app in brings up an error.
Thank you so much! These are fun to write but also require an enormous amount of research, so they will be scheduled out for 2024 only. Thanks for reading.