An unsent letter for Charles Burchfield from Bertha Burchfield by Bernadette Ruof

An unsent letter for Charles Burchfield from Bertha Burchfield, based on Bertha On The Davenport, 1937, with gratitude to the research of Alana Ryder by Bernadette Ruof

Hello Poppie, It's me, Bertha. This painting of me in the parlor is one in which you have captured the loneliness of my life without you. When you are gone, the children and I carry on. From my letters to you, you know how we do what we must, but miss you terribly. And how, I, singularly and without exception, wait for your return as if my life was incomplete without you by my side.

Yes, you have written of me as your steadfast companion, "by your side" through it all, the working, the doubting, the absences. And I do maintain whatever peace and stability that I can for you, so you can think and wander and paint. Our love and friendship will endure whatever time we spend apart.

While you are gone, and when the children are asleep or playing, I read. The velvet upholstery on the couch is worn but soft and "custom made" for me. After a short time, a little tired from cooking and laundering and ironing our clothes, I often stretch out and rest my head on its arm. I wear a sweater because there is a slight draft from the windows. But I would not alter the windows with blinds or heavy drapery. The light they provide me is what I need to drift off into the world of Willa Cather. All that I read and reflect upon goes back to you in my letters to you, and in our conversations by phone, however brief. What I see and feel, you paint. What I know and love, you consider.

Modigliani painted Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne in a Blue Chair, 1918.

Although his portrait is lovely, Oh, my darling, how I feel that your painting of me is far superior. In your portrait of me, I read, thus I work to further help you. What I learn, you know and take to use in your art. My face is not illuminated as Jeanne's is. My face is not important. The light, oh, Charles, the light in the world around us is what prevails here and in all that you do. We will not let anything obscure that light.

Your loving wife,
Bertha

Bernadette Ruof wrote her fictional account of a letter between Bertha and Charles Burchfield after seeing the painting Bertha On The Davenport, 1937.

A Buffalonian by birth and by choice, Bernadette Ruof is a retired high school English teacher. She taught English 9-12, Journalism, and other electives at Williamsville East High School until 2007. She was a newspaper advisor and class advisor and garden club advisor. She led workshops for teachers regarding New York State English Regents testing. She has been writing privately all of her life. She shares her work with family and friends. One of her poems was once published in the Buffalo News. Some of her writing was accepted as part of the Listener Commentaries series at WBFO radio. She currently works as an administrative assistant at Calvary Episcopal Church.