Scatter My Ashes Over Havana

Book excerpt: Distinguished poet and teacher Olga Korman's memoir of exile to the United States in the latter half of the 20th century. Describes her flight from Cuba amid political turmoil, her struggle for a new life in a foreign country, and an eventful return visit to Cuba some 37 years later. Depicts scenes of revolution in Cuba, of the student rebellion at Harvard University and of social upheaval in the United States during the 1960s. Shows the fight of Hispanic peoples for social and political recognition in Buffalo, N.Y., where she has taught Spanish language and literature for the last 20 years.