Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 20, 1923

Today – oh to be simply alive now — What a gift of God! I wonder if there is any feeling more sweet and pride-provoking than for a man to realize that the time is close for the fruit of his union with the woman he loves, to come forth! It is a thundery showery day – Periods of warm heaviness alternate with seasons of light cool freshness, when the Elysian fields seem to be just beyond the long low sweeping openings in the rainy sky — All sounds are laden with magic – the calls of orioles, yellow warblers – railroad whistles – Up on the roof to sketch buckeye leaves –

... It is our first anniversary – a short year ago, Bertha & I joined hands for the rest of our lives. It fills me full of wonderful peace & gladness that my feeling towards her is no different than on our wedding day, no different than on the day when in her home by the sink when we joined hands & I felt the emotion of lover sweep over me, how I felt ashamed and bashful, and regarded her with so much reverence that I could not look at her long.

I sit on the house-top here; the lowering skies flow past — on and on ceaselessly — The young squirrels that have their home in the cornice are sporting in the tree — they provide endless amusement –

At night just before I got into bed, I looked out – the trees spotted with new half-opened leaves seemed to stand full of expectancy – the night was full of life.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 20, 1923