Good day, readers. Today is June 6th, the 158th day of the year 2024, with 208 days remaining.
If one succumbs to the dreams of another instead of their own, they will live a life of dissatisfaction.
Thomas Slatin
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey, revolutionizing the cinematic experience and subsequently influencing a myriad of narratives and settings in both literature and film.
Notable Birthdays:
Thomas Mann, born on June 6, 1875, was a German novelist, short story writer, and Nobel laureate known for his deeply philosophical works, such as Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain. His explorations of the complexities of the human psyche and society have left a lasting impact on 20th-century literature.
Today’s Readings:
From On the Road by Jack Kerouac: “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 6th, 1987, the first book ever was sold on the Internet—a significant milestone that reshaped how books are distributed and consumed. This shift has facilitated global access to literature, challenging traditional publishing norms and changing the way authors interact with their audiences.
Poem of the Day:
“Morning Song of Senlin” by Conrad Aiken:
It is morning, Senlin says, and in the morning
When the light drips through the shutters like the dew,
I arise, I face the sunrise,
And do the things my fathers learned to do.
Stars in the purple dusk above the rooftops
Pale in a saffron mist and seem to die,
And I myself on a swiftly tilting planet
Stand before a glass and tie my tie.
Vine leaves tap my window,
Dew-drenched roses brush my sleeve,
And my soul from its other side whispers,
Can these pleasures, Senlin says, deceive?
This poem by Conrad Aiken, rich in its imagery and introspection, contemplates the routines and ephemeral moments of life, suggesting a deeper, unspoken dialogue with oneself about the nature of reality and perception.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by the ethos of travel and exploration found in Kerouac’s narrative style, reflect on how the themes of exploration and the discovery of the self can be interwoven into your own writing. Consider how your characters’ journeys, both literal and metaphorical, could mirror the internal landscapes they traverse.
Wishing you an inspiring and introspective day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary explorations enrich the soul and broaden the horizons of your mind.