Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, March 13, 1911

When they left, instead of going straight out to Schurren­berger’s we went out Lincoln to Euclid down which we went to the railroad. The full moon shone cold in the dark sky. At the foot of Euclid a train rushed past and I remarked on the beauty of the smoke which was white and ghostly in the still moonlight. Merle compared me to Wordsworth, and advised me to write and “Ode to Smoke!” We had lots of fun over this, but at the Depot when another train went by, the smoke of this being crimsoned by the light from the furnace even she thought it was pretty.
Charles Burchfield, March 13, 1911