Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 16, 1914

The fourth day of clear sparkling weather. Colder this morning. To be able to be afield this weather!

The beauty of Thoreau’s thoughts increases for me every time I open the book. I anticipate reading his Spring, Summer & Winter almost as much as I anticipate an early morning walk in the Dutchman’s.

At noon on these clear September days, the sky near the horizon opposite the sun, is blackish. If I do not look directly at it, I have the impression that the sky is blackened by an approaching storm.

September sun fall thru the trees sends a pattern of over-lapping ellipses across the sidewalk.

I find I am calm and serene of thought. I do not know why unless this prolonged serene weather has an effect on me. The effect is that everything and everybody are beautiful to me. I find the most esthetic thought in simply looking at a tree, a glittering breeze playing in its sun-flecked foliage; and in wat­ching the smoky distances. I do not see the meanness or the failure in people’s faces.

Sunset a coppery yellow ochre, a strong but mellow color that filled the whole sky and air, saturating the trees.

J.R.B. reports a scarcity of squirrels north of the city. This may mean an actual scarcity or perhaps the first volley of the opening day has frightened them to inaccessible places. When will people ever see any more in squirrels than a target for their marksmanship? When I think of the slaughter that is going on in such peaceful September days. One would think that the main object of people on this earth was to slaughter, having in mind the great European War. We are animals yet the most of us.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 16, 1914