Good day, readers. Today is June 26th, the 178th day of the year 2024, with 188 days remaining.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
Steve Jobs
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1914, Laurie Lee, the English poet, novelist, and screenwriter, was born. Lee is best known for his autobiographical trilogy, which begins with Cider with Rosie. His lyrical prose vividly captures the essence of English rural life in the early 20th century.
Notable Birthdays:
Pearl S. Buck, born on June 26, 1892, was an American author known for her rich depictions of Chinese life in works such as The Good Earth. Her novels provided a bridge of understanding between Eastern and Western cultures and earned her the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
Today’s Readings:
From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 26th, 1948, Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” was published in The New Yorker. This chilling tale of a small town’s annual ritual shocked readers with its exploration of conformity, tradition, and the capacity for violence in ordinary people, making it one of the most famous short stories in American literature.
Poem of the Day:
“A Blessing” by James Wright:
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
James Wright’s poem captures a moment of transcendent beauty and connection with nature. Its serene imagery and profound simplicity offer a meditative reflection on the blessings found in everyday encounters.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Steve Jobs’ quote, consider how passion can drive your writing. Reflect on what topics, themes, or narratives ignite your enthusiasm and creativity, and let that love infuse your work with energy and authenticity.
Wishing you a day filled with joyful reading and inspired writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors bring you both satisfaction and success.