In Richard Brautigan's "Voluntary Quicksand," the author reflects on the experience of immersing himself in the news, describing it as a willingness to enter a difficult situation, like quicksand. By reading the Chronicle, he feels the weight of current events pressing down as he anticipates the ongoing challenges of spring, emphasizing a sense of unavoidable entrapment.

The mention of Kent State and the date, May 7, 1970, indicates a specific historical context, hinting at the turmoil and unrest of that era. Brautigan’s metaphor of “voluntary quicksand” conveys the sense of complicity in absorbing the distressing news surrounding him, illustrating a complex relationship with societal issues and personal involvement.