Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 26, July 23, 1915

In my thoughts today I am reaping the harvest of last night’s ramble –
Three great artistic men I love — I dream often of the possibility of a friendship with them were they living!
They are Omar Khayyham the Poet; Wagner, the Composer; & Hokusai the Artist
I am only just realizing the meaning of Nietzsche’s remark to the effect “We desire peace only to prepare for another war, — and that a short peace.”
My fault is to use all my mental vitality in one overflow – I have not yet learned to be mentally continent – tonight I am mentally on fire – I would burn it all up now.
Is it not the meaning of Immortality that I may enjoy the friendship of men who are gone [?] And should I not so live that some future generation may find enjoyment in my friendship —
Going back to Nietzsche — I have attained a peace, I have conquered something – now I must prepare for a new battle that shall rouse me a step higher. How too well people generally are content with a sort of makeshift peace upon which they sit back, to degenerate into mental stagnancy – The ground of a genius is constantly at war with itself and knows no peace, but only “lulls.”
Charles E. Burchfield, July 23, 1915