Slight Return

by Rebecca Wolff

In her new collection, renowned publisher and poet Rebecca Wolff voyages in the myopia of American consumer consciousness--erotic regard, spiritual FOMO, gentrification, branding--without destination. Labyrinthine in their paradoxical musings and incisive in their witty recriminations, these poems grapple with the hubris and dysmorphia of the soul. Wolff is a poet that is unafraid to be a querent, not only of sages ("I only hang out with people / who are psychic / anything else is a / waste of precious / continuity") but of language itself ("How else is one to know how to proceed / How is one to make a motion against-- / electric word life") In SLIGHT RETURN, the journey is infinite and elusive--aspiring in the best way toward a point of diminishing returns and withholding any promise of a comfortable landing. "Wolff's mind slithers from sales to sails, snagging on the twigs and rocks of self-criticism, scorn, anger, and post-marital rage....This ruminative and startling collection offers an incisive portrait of modern life."--Publishers Weekly Poetry. Women's Studies.

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Rebecca Wolff is the editor of Fence and the author of Manderley, Figment and Continuum. She lives in Athens, New York, with her family and is a Fellow of the New York State Writers Institute.