Good day, readers. Today is March 31st, the 90th day of the year 2024, with 276 days remaining.
“As March winds down, we gather the threads of what we’ve learned, weaving them into the fabric of the coming spring.”
Virginia Woolf
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1914, Octavio Paz, the Mexican poet and diplomat who would later win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990, was born. Paz is celebrated for his profound and insightful poetry and essays that explore themes of identity, culture, and philosophical inquiries into existence.
Notable Birthdays:
René Descartes (March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650), the French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, was born on this day in La Haye en Touraine, France. Though best known for his philosophical contributions, his writings also posed foundational questions that have been explored in literary contexts regarding reality, perception, and truth.
Today’s Readings:
From Beloved by Toni Morrison:
“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”
Fact of the Day:
On this day in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was officially opened to the public. While not a literary event, the tower has been a potent symbol in numerous literary works, representing modernity, adventure, and the artistic allure of Paris.
Reflection:
As we prepare to step into April, let us carry forward the lessons and reflections of March. Whether through the meditative poetry of Octavio Paz or the philosophical queries of Descartes, this transition is a time to ponder deeper meanings and prepare for new growth.
Poem of the Day:
“An Evening” by Anna Akhmatova:
The park was filled with a light haze,
At the gates,
flames of gaslights arose,
I remembered only one gaze,
Still unknowable,
under the veil.
Advice for Writers:
Reflect on the cyclical nature of the seasons in your writing. Consider how the philosophical and the deeply personal intersect and influence each other, as seen in the works of Descartes and Morrison. Let this end of March be a time of introspection and renewal in your creative endeavors.
May your thoughts be as rich as the history that unfolds each day, and may your writings resonate with the depth of this season’s transition. Until tomorrow, keep writing your unique repertoire of words.