Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 26, 1914

Afternoon calm & peaceful. A few wisps of clouds appear. Sunset the “yellow light” kind. What a miracle that yellow light is coming as it does, well after the sun has dropped below the rim of the world. All things become saturated with yellow light, even our thoughts. And so I sit in the saffron air, climbing the heights. At times I read slowly from Thoreau’s Walden. I bless the chance that sent the book into my hands. It had always been my intention to read it, but like most good resolutions, it was put off. From reading it, the doubts that have assailed me: i.e. whether a spiritual life was to be preferred to a sensual existence, and whether to work for money, or for the love of my work—were banished. Thus as I sat and dreamed into the future, my mind was dissolved into the yellow and calmed by it to undreamed of heights. Life seemed full of good things.

Charles E. Burchfield, July 26, 1914