Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 22, 1948

                                                                         Sept. 22 (Wed)
     Working on frames –
     6:30 H [Hank] & I take Cathie’s trunk in.
     Evening an agony – sitting around waiting for the parting.
     Dream at dawn: Out in the country by an abandoned house. Suddenly in the north appeared a great flock of birds whirling and darting at each other in sport – as they came closer I saw that they were eagles – a beautiful sight – they passed over the house and suddenly lit in a great elm tree; (which was bare of leaves, altho it was summer) – which they filled – large handsome gray & black birds, majestic – lit up by a westering sun. At times a sun filled haze floated in front of the tree, blotting them out; then as it dissolved, they slowly reappeared.
     Waking, I got to thinking that such a vivid dream is just as valid as actual experience. From the latter all that ever remains is a memory; I have just as strong a memory of the dream, and where could I ever, in actual life, see hundreds of eagles together? -----
     A bright clear day; spent mostly in studio writing to youngsters.
---Charles E. Burchfield, September 22, 1948