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The Poetic Underground #3
Dreamscape
Dreamscape is the third anthology of poems by Erin Hanson, containing poems written between December 2014 and February 2016. The book includes poems previously published to thepoeticunderground.com as well as some that have never before been available to the public.
96 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 30, 2017
4 STARS
This was probably my least favorite from the three books Erin published. However, it was still imaginative and creative and all out wonderful! I just felt like it was lacking the connection that the previous two had, and I often felt detached from the poems. Regardless, all of them were written beautifully - which was to be expected. I mean, come on, Erin is an amazing writer.
Overall, after reading all three of The Poetic Underground I can say that the first book is without a doubt the best one and this one is probably the worst... Though all of them are great, of course, the first one really makes you think and feel. Not sure how else to put that - oh well - just take my word for it, okay? Either way, Erin Hanson is my all time favorite poet now, and I can only wait until she writes more breath-taking poetry. Keep up the good work girl.
This was probably my least favorite from the three books Erin published. However, it was still imaginative and creative and all out wonderful! I just felt like it was lacking the connection that the previous two had, and I often felt detached from the poems. Regardless, all of them were written beautifully - which was to be expected. I mean, come on, Erin is an amazing writer.
Overall, after reading all three of The Poetic Underground I can say that the first book is without a doubt the best one and this one is probably the worst... Though all of them are great, of course, the first one really makes you think and feel. Not sure how else to put that - oh well - just take my word for it, okay? Either way, Erin Hanson is my all time favorite poet now, and I can only wait until she writes more breath-taking poetry. Keep up the good work girl.
November 24, 2018
Erin Hanson is my true queen of words and my absolute poet crush (which - yes - is a thing now.)
I find the topic of all of her poems so relatable and I see a lot of myself reflected in her intricate phrases and rhythmical rhymes. Speaking of which - I often found myself having to pause at the end of one of her poems and reading the last few phrases again because of how satisfying the rhythm of her words were and how pleasingly the sentences fit together, frequently making me doubt the possibility of there being anything in the world as perfectly phrased as the words I had just read.
It is still a mystery to me how Erin is not more widely known, since I feel like everyone who has never read a word by her is seriously missing out on some beautiful, satisfying and moving writing.
In short, this collection of poems is of the best kind of chocolate candy for the brain and soul - it is about feeling deeply, about what it is like to be a girl in today's world, it's about space and the stars and planet earth and its beauty. It is not about love, nor about heartbreak and misery, but about those struggles we all face in our daily lives and the beauty around us that we all too often forget about or fail to appreciate.
Some favourites:
"For she was a human doing,
Human moving, human seeing,
But she'd never taken time
To simply be a human being."
"You see the problem with these digits
On which we've all come to depend,
Is it's the things that can't be quantified
That count most in the end."
"I am an entire ocean
And this you fail to understand,
When you think you can see all of me
Just by standing on the sand."
"For every sun and solar flare
Is made up just like you,
And if they're cause for wonder
Then I promise you are too."
"So do not waste your worry
On all my blizzards and my storms,
I've got my own internal flame,
That always keeps me nice and warm."
"But wherein lies the weakness
Of keeping words held in your hand?
When others listen to reply
She listens just to understand."
I find the topic of all of her poems so relatable and I see a lot of myself reflected in her intricate phrases and rhythmical rhymes. Speaking of which - I often found myself having to pause at the end of one of her poems and reading the last few phrases again because of how satisfying the rhythm of her words were and how pleasingly the sentences fit together, frequently making me doubt the possibility of there being anything in the world as perfectly phrased as the words I had just read.
It is still a mystery to me how Erin is not more widely known, since I feel like everyone who has never read a word by her is seriously missing out on some beautiful, satisfying and moving writing.
In short, this collection of poems is of the best kind of chocolate candy for the brain and soul - it is about feeling deeply, about what it is like to be a girl in today's world, it's about space and the stars and planet earth and its beauty. It is not about love, nor about heartbreak and misery, but about those struggles we all face in our daily lives and the beauty around us that we all too often forget about or fail to appreciate.
Some favourites:
"For she was a human doing,
Human moving, human seeing,
But she'd never taken time
To simply be a human being."
"You see the problem with these digits
On which we've all come to depend,
Is it's the things that can't be quantified
That count most in the end."
"I am an entire ocean
And this you fail to understand,
When you think you can see all of me
Just by standing on the sand."
"For every sun and solar flare
Is made up just like you,
And if they're cause for wonder
Then I promise you are too."
"So do not waste your worry
On all my blizzards and my storms,
I've got my own internal flame,
That always keeps me nice and warm."
"But wherein lies the weakness
Of keeping words held in your hand?
When others listen to reply
She listens just to understand."
December 15, 2018
Zsófi aka Smurfette already captured my feelings about this book in her beautiful review. So I don’t feel the need to put my thoughts into words right now.💭
March 16, 2016
Magical. Lovely. Enchanting. Dreamy. Serene. Poignant. Erin Hanson is a fairy writer.
June 21, 2023
This was a really interesting read, and I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything by this after before. I’ve either seen a poem or two floating around somewhere but that’s it. The rhyming style was a bit to get used to as I wasn’t really a fan but the themes and the content overall really good, and they seem to blend together really well, so I did enjoy that part part.
January 3, 2019
Erin Hanson's poetry is made for getting into your heart and staying inside forever. I've never felt so peaceful since I read her.
March 16, 2016
I love the poetry in all three collections of the poetic underground. This latest collection is the best and my favorite so far. I highly recommend all of Erin Hanson's poetry to anyone who likes poetry. She has a beautiful soul and a beautiful voice which shines through in all of her work. I can relate to everything she writes. I'm a big fan of her work and love reading her poetry both online and in the books. She has a magical way with words that will touch you, make you feel deeply, and help you realize you are not the only one who thinks/feels the way you do.
February 6, 2022
I came across the poem "secrets" on pinterest, which is what introduced me to Erin Hansons poetry. Finally I found it again, in dreamscape. It remains to be one of my favourites.
After having read all three anthologies i can clearly see the progress Erin Hanson has made as a poet. By #3 her topic choices have become more complex and alternative, whereas in #1 they were rather obvious and not as original. I enjoyed observing her branch out more. I also really love how the poems have an ongoing, consistent style, I think I'd recognize an Erin Hanson poem from a mile away. She has a very particular way of stringing one metaphor beautifully to explore the nature of a feeling or situation. And a lot of the metaphors go well together with the theme of the book. This one is titled dreamscape and has a black cover. That is very representative of how she chose most poems to be night-themed. The other images on the cover, such as the hourglass (the impermanent, fleeting nature of life is a recurring topic that Hanson seems to think and write about a lot), the stars and planets of the universe (belonging to/ being part of something grand, being made up of other things, connected to everything), the forest, ocean and mountains (especially in winter), were also very much incorporated into the poems in forms of imagery and metaphors and I think that is just a neatly done aesthetic choice that sets the tone for the book and overall just a great addition to the visual value of the the whole thing as a piece of art.
Erin Hansons rhyme talent is so advanced that I can hardly believe how underrated she is. Do people really prefer rupi kaurs free verse 'poetry' to this masterpiece?
After having read all three anthologies i can clearly see the progress Erin Hanson has made as a poet. By #3 her topic choices have become more complex and alternative, whereas in #1 they were rather obvious and not as original. I enjoyed observing her branch out more. I also really love how the poems have an ongoing, consistent style, I think I'd recognize an Erin Hanson poem from a mile away. She has a very particular way of stringing one metaphor beautifully to explore the nature of a feeling or situation. And a lot of the metaphors go well together with the theme of the book. This one is titled dreamscape and has a black cover. That is very representative of how she chose most poems to be night-themed. The other images on the cover, such as the hourglass (the impermanent, fleeting nature of life is a recurring topic that Hanson seems to think and write about a lot), the stars and planets of the universe (belonging to/ being part of something grand, being made up of other things, connected to everything), the forest, ocean and mountains (especially in winter), were also very much incorporated into the poems in forms of imagery and metaphors and I think that is just a neatly done aesthetic choice that sets the tone for the book and overall just a great addition to the visual value of the the whole thing as a piece of art.
Erin Hansons rhyme talent is so advanced that I can hardly believe how underrated she is. Do people really prefer rupi kaurs free verse 'poetry' to this masterpiece?
September 4, 2022
This series are the only poetry books I physically own. Erin Hanson is by far my favorite poet. I read this book out on a porch while it was raining (my favorite way to read), and finished it within two hours. Although I really liked this book, I liked the first one more. This third book had a little bit of repetition and I didn’t relate to it as much as I did to the first book.
Pros: Dreamy, short, very hopeful
Cons: Didn’t relate, repetitive, not really life changing, didn’t cry
Pros: Dreamy, short, very hopeful
Cons: Didn’t relate, repetitive, not really life changing, didn’t cry
November 7, 2021
Erin Hanson is my most favorite poet of all time. Her poems can make me think, laugh or cry. Her words are so powerful that I often can't finish them without shedding a tear. They strike me right in my heart. She has the true gift of bringing power to words and make you feel and experience. That's magic to me.
December 22, 2021
What a truly wonderful collection of poetry from Erin Hanson! I absolutely loved revisiting some of her more well known pieces as well as ones I'd never read before. Erin puts into words what so many of us can't, and I use some of her writing regularly to try and explain what I mean or am feeling. This is such a great book!
April 2, 2024
I wish the poet would have published more of her work, but it seems that after this one she disappeared nonetheless this is a legacy of her brilliant compositions. She will always remain one of my favorite contemporary poets.
May 16, 2017
I am biased towards her. I love her poetry. Almost all of them speak to me and I just love how each poem has something unique it conveys or attempts to make its readers feel.
July 9, 2017
erin hanson just knows how to write in such a way that just makes you feel good and understood
September 13, 2017
very beautiful and easy to relate to
March 15, 2018
This woman's writing is incredible ❤️
December 30, 2018
Erin will always be my favourite poet and I hope she returns to Instagram/sharing her poems online or in book form soon ❤️
September 21, 2019
Lovely poetry but didn't love it as much as her previous two books.
January 31, 2020
A great collection of beautiful, thought-provoking poems as always. A massive fan of Erin Hanson. My favourite poet.
March 10, 2020
Loved her poetry as always
November 6, 2020
Absolutely love Erin Hanson, I still go through her books even though I’ve read them many many times!
June 8, 2023
Beautiful words
December 17, 2023
Just finished this one and i plan to go back and read the series over and over i love her poetry it’s so powerful
February 7, 2025
Erin Hanson stays in my top pick of current modern day poets. I feel her poetry is magical and beautiful. I can't wait to read more.
December 23, 2025
This book was the bread and butter butter of tumblr
May 31, 2026
I love the author’s imagination. Rather unique poetry.
April 28, 2019
Why?
Your smile looks like the answer
To every time the world asks "Why?"
Like you have stars beneath your pillow
And fingers stained blue from the sky.
There's not a constellation
Quite like the freckles on your cheeks,
And if we listened to you closely
I swear we'd hear the cosmos speak.
The Line
It's like our lives are past and future
And the point at which they meet,
Is the line that we must walk
To keep the present at our feet.
And as long as you stay balanced
You will learn that all is fine,
Regret and worry cannot touch you
Unless you step off of the line.
October 4, 2021
I read Erin Hanson's newest book of poetry, "For One Shining Day I Was There" (2025). Until it's uploaded to Goodreads, I wanted to capture that here. She continues to deliver. Not every poem is great, but there are several that speak so loudly to me. I've never been one to enjoy poetry, but her work really does make me more open to trying it. :)
March 10, 2024
this one has the train advice poem that I like, I believe this book had the most poems that I'd read of theirs. definitely not as exciting as book 2 but book 1 was a little less interesting than this one. although, I totally feel like the covers should be mixed up, because they don't really fit their vibes accordingly.
September 26, 2021
Such an imaginative and emotional collection. I have found so many of my favourite poems in these books, as well as many truths about life and the human experience. Erin Hanson captures how we all feel and talks about it in a way, that makes it relatable, raw, truthful and beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews