Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), In the Deep Woods, 1918; watercolor, gouache and pencil on paperboard, 25 x 18 inches; Image courtesy of the Burchfield Penney Art Center
Charles Burchfield, Journals, September 5, 1913
Friday, Sep 5, 2014
Tonight while reading, I heard the weird wailing cry, as of a distressed puppy, and was surprised to hear Ephie exclaim “Listen—there’s a screech owl!”
There it was. Someone else knew the very sound that had been puzzling me. It seems I do not know the simplest things! Will I ever learn to know birds & trees & plants any better than I do now. My life is leading me further and further from it. Can I ever, sometime, go back and learn anew? Perhaps. If not, I will at least always have with me a divine love of all things nature which will be something.
Later on, we heard the shuddering mournful sound quite close.
Charles Burchfield, September 5, 1913