A Mythic Life: Poems

A first full-length collection by one of the world’s leading experts on myth and legend, especially those of King Arthur and the Celts. The author of over 100 books on these and other themes, John Matthews here shows that myth has always been a central part of his life. The works published here, many for the first time, date from the 1980s to the present, and cross into many realms and fields of otherworldly grace.

JOHN MATTHEWS is an independent scholar, poet and author living in Oxford. He published his first book in 1980 and has since gone on to publish over a hundred titles on Myth, Folklore, and ancient traditions. He has made a lifetime study of every aspect of the Arthurian legends, from its origins to modern retellings. His The Great Book of King Arthur (2023) and Realms of the Round Table (2025) are recognised as presenting a major new dimension to the history of Arthurian literature. His poetry has appeared in several journals, including Poetry London, Temenos Journal, Agenda, and The Times Literary Supplement.