Severance

by Robert Fanning

In his fourth full-length collection, Robert Fanning takes a dramatic leap into a liminal world. In poems both measured and free, both cadenced and incantatory, we follow two marionettes—Professor and Grief—who search for a life untethered and authentic. Crossing from day into night, from wood into flesh, from wakefulness into dream, from ice into thaw, Severance sings of a way—through the narrows of time and body—toward healing.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2019

About the author

Robert Fanning is the author of five full-length poetry collections: All We Are Given We Cannot Hold (Dzanc Books, 2025), Severance (Salmon Poetry, 2019), Our Sudden Museum (Salmon Poetry, 2017), American Prophet (Marick Press, 2009), and The Seed Thieves (Marick Press, 2006). In addition, he is the author of four chapbooks: The Good Sea (Red Flag Poetry, 2026), Prince of the Air (Seven Kitchens Press, 2024), Sheet Music (Three Bee Press, 2015), and Old Bright Wheel (2002 Ledge Press Poetry Award). His poems have appeared in Poetry, Ploughshares, Shenandoah, Gulf Coast and other journals. He is a Professor of Creative Writing at Central Michigan University. He is also the founder and facilitator of the Wellspring Literary Series in Mt. Pleasant, MI.

To read his work, visit www.robertfanning.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Jade Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to hear Fanning read some of these poems shortly after this book was first published, and his reading (and singing!) was magical. Although I enjoyed finally reading all of the poems, I personally like these poems better when spoken than when on the page. Still, it was a captivating read from beginning to end.

I also kept thinking of the book as more of a "story told in verse" than just a collection of poems.
This did not impact by view of the book, but I think it's an interesting categorical note.