The Writer's Almanac from Sunday, September 1, 2013
The Writer's Almanac from Sunday, September 1, 2013
"Aimless Love" by Billy Collins, from Aimless Love. © Random House, 2013.
ORIGINAL TEXT AND AUDIO - 2013
It's the anniversary of the attack that began WWII in 1939. At 11 minutes after five in the morning, Hitler issued a proclamation for his army to invade Poland. He claimed it was a counterattack, that the Poles had started the whole thing, but in reality, German troops had been moving to the eastern border for weeks; Polish troops had simply moved up to their own border to defend it. Hitler had recently signed a pact with Soviet Premier Josef Stalin, surprising everyone, because the two men had been sworn enemies. Their intention was to carve up Poland, giving the western third to Germany while the Soviets took the rest.
Britain and France, allied with Poland, entered the war two days later. But by then it was too late to save Poland. The German army unleashed the new form of warfare they called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," and within six days, had taken Krakow. Within 10, they were outside Warsaw. By early October, Poland had fallen.
It was on this day in 1773 that 20-year-old Phillis Wheatley published Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. It was the first book of poetry published by an African-American. Phillis was born in West Africa and brought over as a slave when she was a young girl. She was purchased by a Boston family, who taught her to read and write, and eventually gave her her freedom. She went to London when her book was published, and she met many important people there, including the Lord Mayor, who gave her a copy of Paradise Lost. George Washington praised her talents, and she published numerous poems in magazines. But her husband fell into debt and then abandoned her when she was pregnant, and she died in childbirth, in a boarding house, when she was only 31 years old.
On this day in 1904, Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe. She was the first blind-and-deaf student ever to graduate from any college anywhere.
Helen Keller, who said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.®
Galveston, TX – December 21
December 21, 2024
8:00 p.m.
The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston, TX
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION CHRISTMAS Songs, Stories, Sketches, and our Same Old Sponsors
Some people believe the Creator of the Universe sent His Son to Earth in the form of an infant born to a virgin woman and her faithful husband, Joseph. Other people don’t believe this but enjoy being with those who do — and enjoy a party (parties being more fun if there’s a reason and what better than a birth?). Join GK, Heather Masse, Maria Jette, the Radio Acting Company, Fred Newman, Richard Dworsky and the Guy’s Shoe Band for the Adventures of Guy Noir, Duane & His Mom, the News from Lake Wobegon, A Christmas Carolette, and the audience singing of five beloved carols.
Excellent poem!