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Crumbling Utopian Pipedream
Crumbling Utopian Pipedream is a book of poems born of the streets. It unflinchingly celebrates gritty realism while detailing some of life's hard won battles, and continually urges the reader to face the obstacles life puts in our way, and to realize that we have the strength to overcome any and all hardships.
- GenresPoetry
60 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2017
195 people want to read
About the author
Scott E. Wozniak
5 books27 followersScott Wozniak is a poet, short story writer and chaos enthusiast living in Southern Oregon. His works have appeared on line and in print at, Red Fez Magazine, Midnight Lane Boutique, Flash Fiction Magazine, The Five-Two, Lummox 4 Poetry Anthology, and Horror, Sleaze, Trash, to name a few. He is an award winning Spoken Word artist who has performed nationwide and opened for numerous bands. His books are, Crumbling Utopian Pipedream (Moran Press), Killing Our Saints (Svensk Apache Press), Ash on Your Face like War Paint (Analog Submission Press) and his latest, Shooting Gallery Vultures (Alien Buddha Press).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 19, 2019
I was very impressed by this collection of poetry, the opening poems felt like this was a confession of sorts, violence, drugs and drink were the main topics, gradually things got bleaker from there. After a while I realised this wasn't a confession, Wozniak is telling the reader what life is like for many people, and telling those sufferers that you can overcome these things, it will be tough but all these trials will only make you stronger. The final poem "My Brain off Drugs" felt incredibly honest and finished off the collection perfectly.
Other high points here were a possible poem for Brexit, "So Many Choices, So Little Time" calls for people to rise up from this catastrophe and create your own destiny. One of the best was "Crumbling Utopian Pipedream" the lines are short, so few words are used but somehow Wozniak manages to capture the readers imagination and you can instantly see what he is writing about. If you ever wandered what a poem would be like if it was written as society is ending then Crumbling Utopian Pipedream would be it.
Wozniak has some very clever titles and my favourite poem has one of the best, "Depends on Which Side of the Flames You're On", that poem is so good, a contender for my favourite poem of 2019. You should grab a copy of this book even if it's just for that one poem.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019...
Other high points here were a possible poem for Brexit, "So Many Choices, So Little Time" calls for people to rise up from this catastrophe and create your own destiny. One of the best was "Crumbling Utopian Pipedream" the lines are short, so few words are used but somehow Wozniak manages to capture the readers imagination and you can instantly see what he is writing about. If you ever wandered what a poem would be like if it was written as society is ending then Crumbling Utopian Pipedream would be it.
Wozniak has some very clever titles and my favourite poem has one of the best, "Depends on Which Side of the Flames You're On", that poem is so good, a contender for my favourite poem of 2019. You should grab a copy of this book even if it's just for that one poem.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019...
March 19, 2018
Scott Wozniak has seen some stuff. This new poetry collection from Moran Press offers a sobering snapshot at a life of hardship, pain and regret. Wozniak puts it all on the line and pulls no punches. At times it can be hard to swallow, but it is necessary. This is vital and honest poetry.
One particular poem that stood out to me and hit me right in the feels was Numb, a poem that highlights the stark reality of heroin addiction - as he watches his friends die one by one from overdoses, he finally realises that he needs to get clean:
"I stood numb,
tearless,
thinking to myself,
"They finally got
what they wanted,"
then wondered,
"What the fuck
made me
stop wanting
to die?"
That, to me,
is more mysterious
than death
could ever be."
This is not poetry that glamourises the struggle, or celebrates reckless behaviour, but poetry of survival and redemption. Of fucking up and learning from it. Of taking every blow that life can throw at you, getting back up and throwing right back.
Littered throughout the confessional big hitters are astute and oftentimes comical observations about modern life, delivered in Wozniak's concise and succinct style. The juxtaposition of these lighthearted interludes make Crumbling Utopian Pipedream a fascinating and enjoyable read. I am incredibly proud to have published Scott's work in past issues of Paper and Ink Literary Zine (#9 and #10) and shout out must be made to the striking cover artwork by Marie Enger.
One particular poem that stood out to me and hit me right in the feels was Numb, a poem that highlights the stark reality of heroin addiction - as he watches his friends die one by one from overdoses, he finally realises that he needs to get clean:
"I stood numb,
tearless,
thinking to myself,
"They finally got
what they wanted,"
then wondered,
"What the fuck
made me
stop wanting
to die?"
That, to me,
is more mysterious
than death
could ever be."
This is not poetry that glamourises the struggle, or celebrates reckless behaviour, but poetry of survival and redemption. Of fucking up and learning from it. Of taking every blow that life can throw at you, getting back up and throwing right back.
Littered throughout the confessional big hitters are astute and oftentimes comical observations about modern life, delivered in Wozniak's concise and succinct style. The juxtaposition of these lighthearted interludes make Crumbling Utopian Pipedream a fascinating and enjoyable read. I am incredibly proud to have published Scott's work in past issues of Paper and Ink Literary Zine (#9 and #10) and shout out must be made to the striking cover artwork by Marie Enger.
September 2, 2018
A grenade waiting to blow
This collection is raw. Unafraid. And fierce. It isn't often I finish a book in one sitting, but I couldn't put it down. Though bleak at times, this collection gives you a hard dose of real living. Grab it, you won't regret it.
This collection is raw. Unafraid. And fierce. It isn't often I finish a book in one sitting, but I couldn't put it down. Though bleak at times, this collection gives you a hard dose of real living. Grab it, you won't regret it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews