‘The adventure of being born’: G.K. Chesterton’s 150th anniversary

The 29th of May 2024 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of G.K. Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936), the indomitable English author, philosopher, Christian apologist and literary and art critic. To mark the auspicious occasion, Lord David Alton shared with the Catholic Herald his favourite Chesterton poem:

By The Babe Unborn

If trees were tall and grasses short,
                 As in some crazy tale,
               If here and there a sea were blue
                 Beyond the breaking pale,

               If a fixed fire hung in the air
                 To warm me one day through,
               If deep green hair grew on great hills,
                 I know what I should do.

               In dark I lie; dreaming that there
                 Are great eyes cold or kind,
               And twisted streets and silent doors,
                 And living men behind.

               Let storm clouds come: better an hour,
                 And leave to weep and fight,
               Than all the ages I have ruled
                 The empires of the night.

               I think that if they gave me leave
                 Within the world to stand,
               I would be good through all the day
                 I spent in fairyland.

               They should not hear a word from me
                 Of selfishness or scorn,
               If only I could find the door,
                 If only I were born.

Analysis: This poem presents a stark contrast between the unborn child’s imagined world and the harsh reality of existence, notes the All Poetry website. The child envisions a realm with unusual natural elements, implying a longing for a world beyond the womb. In contrast, the present state of darkness and isolation is depicted as oppressive, hinted by phrases like “dark I lie” and “silent doors”.

The poem echoes themes of yearning, hope, and a desire for life found in other works by the author, such as “In the Night Season”. However, it stands out for its vivid portrayal of the unborn child’s perspective. The use of contrasting images and the child’s naive wishes create a sense of longing and unfulfilled dreams. Furthermore, the poem’s compact structure and concise language add to its impact, emphasising the stark contrast between the unborn child’s imaginative world and the unknown reality that awaits.

Amongst his political activism, Lord Alton has campaigned assiduously against abortion, especially recent efforts to decriminalise abortion and thereby further imperil the lives of the unborn.

To mark and celebrate the anniversary, the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture hosted a short conversation with Dermot Quinn, editor of The Chesterton Review, and Gloria Garafulich-Grabois, director of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture. You can listen to the discussion here.

Photo: G.K. Chesterton at home.