Profession: Poet is a new monthly blog feature exploring craft and identity in poetry by Hanoch Guy, who writes poems in both English and Hebrew.
Do Reptiles Write Poetry?
Welcome to the blog.
I always like to explore ways to expand the paths to poetry.
This time, I’d like to introduce the three brain model, called the triune brain.
A couple clarifications about the triune brain: The three brain model does not indicate that specific capacities are located only in these brains. Many activities are executed in different locations and migrate.
We can look at this model as an expansive metaphor.
The model was introduced by physician and neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean, M.D., whose main research was on Komodo dragons, the feared fierce huge lizards in Indonesia. MacLean discovered that the main capacities of what he called the reptilian brain, which is located on top of the brain stem, are the following:
imitation of patterns
repetition
rituals and habits
focus
territory
competitiveness
It’s doubtful that reptiles write poems, but you will be amazed how understanding the reptilian brain will enhance your writing.
When Dr. MacLean returned to Washington from his research trip in Indonesia, he was amazed to discover that his colleagues and students displayed the same behaviors as the Komodo dragon.
One important gift of the reptiles is imitation. It is sometimes given a bad rap, but it is the foundation for learning processes. We do not pull a poem like a magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat. Writing emerges from what we’ve read and what we’ve learned from previous authors. Imitation is essential to poetry, provided we not go all the way and take the time to develop our own style.
The next trait that reptiles have bequeathed to us is repetition. It is a major feature in poetry and is used many forms. While it is essential, overusing it may be boring or inefficient, so discernment is important.
Ritual is a cornerstone of cultures, narratives, and poetry. Ritualistic behaviors started with reptiles. Most poets I talk to tell me they have specific rituals for sitting down to write that help them to get deeper into the zone of writing.
Reptiles have sharp focus when carrying out the actions of hunting prey, mating, and competition. We inherited this characteristic and elevated focus for use in our modern human lives. And we can utilize it in poetry. Sustained periods of focus are necessary to write quality poetry.
Okay, one part of the brain is enough for one blog.
Next month, I’ll write about the limbic emotional poetic brain.
Hanoch Guy Ph.D, Ed.D spent his childhood and youth in Israel. He is a bilingual poet in Hebrew and English. Hanoch has taught Jewish Hebrew literature at Temple University and poetry and mentoring at the Muse House Center. He won awards in the Mad Poets Society, Phila Poets, Poetry Super Highway and first prize in the Better than Starbucks haiku contest. His book, Terra Treblinka, is a finalist in the North Book Contest. Hanoch published poems in England, Wales, Israel, the U.S., and Greece. He is the author of nine poetry collections in English and one Hebrew book.