Most of these were written on assignment at a midwestern branch campus at a time when I was distracted by many things.  In the spring of 1970, for instance, my academic load was heavy, I worked thirty-five hours a week at the bookstore and Amy was born May first.  That week the Beatles split, Nixon invaded Cambodia and then came Kent State.  I went to the hospital with a black band on an arm loaded with plum blossoms.