Life Lessons: Reflections on Poems to Live Your Life By
“But I, being poor, have only my dream; / I have spread my dreams under your feet; / Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
Poems to Live Your Life By, collated by Chris Riddell, is a wonderfully curated collection of poems paired with illustrations by Riddell himself. The collection is divided into themes that Riddell considers integral to human experiences, ranging from the wonders of love and the sorrow of loss to profound themes such as war. At the heart of it all is the experience of growing, not solely through age but also through personal development and life lessons.
Reading an anthology of poetry that is not focused on one individual poet was an entirely enjoyable experience. I found it rewarding to trace the through-line in the poems, appreciating the various authors, while Riddell guided the reader through his selection, arrangement, and illustrations. Having dedicated a significant amount of my reading time in 2024 to poetry, this collection felt like a breath of fresh air. It allowed me to view poetry from a unique angle and thoroughly piqued my curiosity even further.
The opening section of the anthology is titled Musings: Thoughts and Contemplations. Although it was an obvious start, it was nevertheless a wonderful one. We then journey through the stages of Youth, Family, Love, Imaginings, Nature, War, and finally, Endings. This composition guides us from youthful naivety towards a more mature outlook, stopping along the way to explore love, heartbreak, and the continued appreciation for those we hold dear. Ultimately, the end is met with a poignant acknowledgment that all things must come to an end.
With contributions from beloved and renowned poets such as Lord Byron, Robert Frost, Kate Tempest, Imtiaz Dharker, Rachel Rooney, Phoebe Bridgers, and Ted Hughes, I discovered many new authors to explore. This, in my opinion, is one of the great joys of anthologies.
Moon-Whales by Ted Hughes. Bookmark by @cricketisntreal I was particularly drawn to Ted Hughes’ poem Moon-Whales, where the themes of nature and the inherent juxtapositions were beautifully expressed. The powerful imagery of the whales moving slowly yet deliberately creates a sense of eternity, accompanied by the expression of their never-ending songs. The juxtaposition in the line “lifting the moon’s skin / like a muscle / but so slowly it seems like a lasting mountain,” followed by the comparison of breathing to that of volcanoes, powerfully illustrates the majesty of these creatures. Additionally, the science-fiction-esque imagery of the whales interacting with the metal machinery of the astronauts added a uniquely fun element. The poem’s conclusion, using an oxymoron to highlight the paradox, “they move their immovable masses,” was thrilling to read and explore.
My personal interpretation of the book is that, through fantasy and wonder, it serves as a reminder that we are ultimately living within a shared reality. We are all, if lucky, going to experience versions of these profound moments, and the shared nature of that is comforting. We enter this anthology with the eyes of a newborn and finish it with the perspective of someone who has not just seen but also felt many of life’s journeys.
I genuinely enjoyed this collection and found the entire work to be wonderfully impressive. While I’m not surprised I loved it so much, I am very glad that I did. I am grateful that my partner gifted me this (inside, there were many trinkets included by him). I would be thrilled to recommend this anthology as a fantastic entry point into poetry for any friends or family who might want to dip their toes in. I also believe it would make a wonderful gift for people of all ages. Once again, it was an utter