Poetry is frequently considered a creative exercise where poets can express their emotions, thoughts, and feelings. These expressions are often seen as therapeutic as well as artistic. However, there is much more to writing poetry regarding its cognitive processes and brain activity. There is a scientific connection between the poetic writing process and the human brain, which is a fascinating relationship to consider. In this article, we will consider the science of writing poetry and the brain.
Neurological Activity and Writing Poetry
It is often said that the brain is a supercomputer. This is a limited view of the brain's abilities. The brain is much more than a fast-processing computer that can store vast information.
The brain is comprised of nerve cells called neurons. Several pathways connect these neurons, and one neuron may connect to over 100,000 others. However, it is the way that these neurons are connected that enables poets to write in a remarkable way.
Think of it this way. Poetry and nature are often inescapably connected, frequently intertwining to evoke deep emotions and highlight the beauty of the natural world. Throughout the centuries, poets have drawn inspiration from nature's landscapes, seasons, and elements, but it is our nerve cells or neurons that allow us to process information simultaneously when we are in nature.
Neurons, because of how they are connected, allow us to see a magnificent natural setting while listening to the sounds of singing birds or the chirping music of crickets rubbing their wings together. At the same time, the way these neurons work allows us to see a far-away, copiously green mountain range while simultaneously smelling the fragrant scent of an azalea meters away. Yes, we can process and enjoy all of these things while walking through a field of wildflowers, processing all of these scenes and never stumbling. Just by imagining these settings, we can see how our vast network of neurons can facilitate the writing of poetry. Andreas Tolias, a neuroscientist from Baylor and Stanford University, said in a project mapping more than half a billion connections across one cubic millimeter of brain tissue, "The brain is this biological tissue inside our heads that makes us see the world, have feelings, make decisions..." Seeing the world, relating it to our feelings, and then making decisions based on that information epitomizes the process of writing poetry.
The Brain's Function in Writing Poetry and Evaluating Poetry
Writing Poetry
The next time you are in a beautifully diverse natural scene or the midst of a bustling city scene with hordes of people, think about all the information you are processing at once. Then, transcribe or write that information in a poetic way that expresses how you are connecting the different sights, sounds, and senses. Don't get too bogged down in how you want to say things poetically. The initial goal is to write about the sights, sounds, and what you see, as well as their connections. The creative evaluation of your poetic expression can be done later.
When we involve our senses and then use our cognitive abilities to write what we are sensing, we are doing what doctors R. and B. Bryan say in their book The Human Body, "...you are training your neurons to connect in a new way…The more you use your brain in this way, the more efficient it will become." The more efficient your information processing becomes, the better you will become at poetic expressions.
Evaluating Poetry
The initial writing of a poem is only part of the process. You must chew, evaluate, and refine what you have written. You never want to rely on your initial emotional, poetic expressions. Why is this?
Evaluating a poem is essential for several reasons. The poetry evaluation process involves critical thinking skills. It encourages the poet to meditate on his themes, imagery, and language choices. This process fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the poetic art form, which requires active engagement with the poem. More than active engagement with the poem, the evaluation process involves more neurological brain function than writing.
The National Library of Medicine article: Mapping The Artistic Brain: Common and Distinct Neural Activations Associated with Musical, Drawing, and Literary Creativity states, "...studies of poetry composition have reported decreased coupling of default and control network regions during poetry generation but increased coupling between the networks during poetry evaluation..." This means there is much more neurological activity in the brain when evaluating poetry than when writing a poem.
Conclusion: Poetic Creativity and Your Brain
Whether it is artistic, drawing, or poetic creativity, the brain and its neurological processes are intrinsically involved (For further reading, see Brain Activity and Connectivity During Poetry Composition). How we engage with these neurons during the poetry composition process will determine our effectiveness as poets.
The Science of Writing Poetry and Your Brain clearly shows the profound connection between the poetry writing process and brain function. By exploring how poetic expression engages the brain and improves mental acuity, we gain insight into how to become a better poet.