Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 28, 1914

The second of cold windy soul-bracing days. Yesterday light airy snow flurries. I have not observed much today as my mind was disturbed by futility of my efforts in my school work. One impression was vivid however, and that was a dense smoke-fog that pervaded the woods beyond the Green.

Yesterday afternoon Joe, Bob, Travis & I got to Keller’s Exhibition at Korner & Woods. Travis & I discuss various topics agreeing rarely, which forms the basis of whatever attraction exists between us. Keller’s exhibit fine. He has the paganistic love of nature for her beauty — art for art’s sake. I was lost in his sea bird pictures.

Evening to Hippodrome. An evening wasted.    

Today unable to concentrate. Unhappy I leave at 3:30 & meet Bob who was bewailing the loss of $3.50 worth of paint. We walk thru Park. Socialism our subject.

Twilight dark & cloudy. A cold dampish wind from south. 

What beauty do I see in life now that [I have lost an active interest in an afterlife*]. The beauty and grandeur of nature for her own sake & the joy to portray her.

Have I a soul? In so far as I am in tune with the harmonious music, color and rhythm of nature losing which my soul (so called) is lost, tho I live on externally.

*[Burchfield erased the original phrase and inserted this one around 1955.]

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 28, 1914