by Neil Deo

Created on: July 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 12, 2010

The MIND wins!

Ever heard of having a message go straight to the heart? That can be dangerous; there is no evaluation of the information and emotions rule! What about the proverbial change of heart? Not only politicians, but writers of poetry, email, etcetera often rue the fact they were spontaneous and unthinking. I conclude, therefore, that poetry from the heart is less solid, more changeable, and inferior to poetry emanating from the mind.

I was reluctant to choose sides, because oftentimes we do not have choices in life, but a combination of options where one item is something of a priority. For me, poetry shaped by the mind is more important than the gush and flow from people's hearts! Some spontaneous writing is nothing but excreta from the heart.

What comes from the heart is emotional responses and influenced by knee-jerk reactions. These responses are valid in themselves... but would you consider your talks with a therapist "poetry"? Such "words from the heart" and spontaneous writings are only a beginning. Yes, poetry that has emotional aspects do appeal to many people, but I daresay that poetry from the mind lives on forever. I am not advocating removing all the "heart" from poetry; rather, the heart must play second fiddle to what the mind reshapes after applying itself to the topic. My view is validated even by debators from the other side in this discussion. How, you ask? Think BIBLE, think SHAKESPEARE.

If you accept that the Bible is a rational, logic-based document (the "logos") that man, inspired by God, has passed down for 2,000 years, you cannot say it is based on the heart, and emotions. I will not detour here to talk of at least three kinds of love, and the heart is at the level of EROS (carnality) not Agape (Loving Creativity). Similarly, Shakespeare's plays, especially the comedies like "THE TEMPEST" and "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" do not succeed because they appeal primarily to the heart. The comedy succeeds because of Shakespeare's mind. Shakespeare's HISTORIES (history plays) make the point better: while not focusing on love affairs and matters of the heart in these plays, the bard's mind and how he used language wins where there is no romance or weddings and happy endings.

How do I experience my poetry writing? I am prouder of the poems I wrote and continue to write that are improved by interventions and editing by my mind. In other words, should you and I allow our writing to flow from the heart alone, we will see nothing less than

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