Within these poems, he shares his admiration for their eagerness to live and portrays parenthood as his rescue from hopelessness.

The book contains multi-sectional narratives that turn memento mori[further explanation needed] and are painted with dark humor.

In some of the poems, Paterson expresses appreciation for simple, yet meaningful moments in his life whilst struggling with his feelings and identity.

[3] Sarah Crown has stated that whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, each poem in Landing Light illustrates forms of death.

[4] According to Matthew Reynolds, "The Landing", one of two poems related to the title of the book, positions the protagonist in between the 'complex upper light' and 'the darker flight / that fell back to the dead'.