Good day, readers. Today is June 27th, the 179th day of the year 2024, with 187 days remaining.
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
Oscar Wilde
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1880, Helen Keller, an American author, political activist, and lecturer, was born. Despite being both blind and deaf, Keller became a powerful advocate for people with disabilities, and her autobiography, The Story of My Life, has inspired millions with its message of resilience and determination.
Notable Birthdays:
Paul Laurence Dunbar, born on June 27, 1872, was an influential African American poet, novelist, and playwright. His work, which includes poetry collections like Lyrics of Lowly Life, explores themes of racial pride and social injustice, capturing the struggles and hopes of African Americans in the post-Civil War era.
Today’s Readings:
From The Road by Cormac McCarthy: “You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 27th, 1954, the world’s first nuclear power station, Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, was opened in the Soviet Union. This event has been explored in numerous works of fiction and non-fiction, highlighting humanity’s complex relationship with technology and the ethical dilemmas it poses.
Poem of the Day:
“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe:
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea,
But we loved with a love that was more than love—
I and my Annabel Lee—
With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsmen came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,
Went envying her and me—
Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in Heaven above
Nor the demons down under the sea
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,
In her sepulchre there by the sea—
In her tomb by the sounding sea.
Edgar Allan Poe’s hauntingly beautiful poem captures the eternal nature of love and the profound sense of loss. Its lyrical quality and emotional depth make it a timeless piece that resonates deeply with readers.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s quote, consider how you can infuse your writing with authenticity and passion. Write about what you love and what makes you come alive, and let that enthusiasm shine through in your words.
Wishing you a day of inspired reading and heartfelt writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary journeys be filled with discovery and joy.