The episodes, scenes, recognitions of seven decades are experienced in the form of "then" as "now." Poems go from the actual time of youth, in the section "Growing Pains," on through the continuing times of growing up - a process still going forward. The poems in "Such is Life" consider the innocence of certainty challenged by sharp awakenings to reality. The sections "People"and "Fiction"deal further with the drama of awakening. Sections on "Politics and War" and "Religion" portray the continuing struggle to find meaning, even to discover truth. Finally, "End of Term" is about saying goodbye.