Charles Burchfield, Journals, September 5, 1913

Tonight while reading, I heard the same weird wailing cry, as of a distressed puppy, and was suprised to hear Ephie [Burchfield's cousin], 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! ["Oh will I ever be a naturalist!"] 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 nature which will be something.

Later on, we heard the shuddering mournful sound quite close.

Charles Burchfield, September 5, 1913