Charles Burchfield, Journals, January 21, 1915

The second of wonderful winter days.  It has been snowing since the morning of the l9th - then great squareshaped soggy lumps from the east; developed gradually by today in a thick shower of feathery bunches of star-flakes. Today was a fairy day - the nature of the storm brought a smile from the walker – so light and buoyant, they had the character of sunlight; falling so softly (there was scarce a wind) they rested on the trees branches like careful butterflies; they evaded the downcoming foot and flew aside in tiny gusts.

The note of a nut-hatch stirring for food on an elm was the expressive “sound” of the silence of the snow.

Now at times a massive flake burst against a branch!

The nuthatch’s note has clung to me, like the snow on the tree-limbs.  And I thought of winter-walks in the Dutchman’s.

My mind reverts always to a return at some time to a study of nature afield.  Last year it was the same, and I recall with what eagerness I anticipated the summer. Yet as I read the record of my summer trips, in many places I find I marred the record by my attempt to create something to yearn for. Except towards the last where I recorded only the beauties I saw.  This morning I saw the morning star.

Charles E Burchfield, January 21, 1915