The Scientist-Poet Exchange

Avryn Firestone

the transition,
is it  p a l p a b l e?
when I remove
my mind's lab coat
and redress in my poet's hat?

are the two halves
mutually
e x c l u s i v e?
the scientific and the creative?
like a rock cannot be a bird
and a bird cannot be
my grandmother,
despite a shared resemblance...

is it simply  t r a n s a c t i o n a l?
an exchange of currency--
the stirring of my left brain
for the right?

why, then,
does each half war for control,
s h o u t i n g
to drown out the other?
and yet,
each half feels  h o l l o w,
colorless,
without the other...
and, why is there
a persistent tug of longing
whenever I change attire?

perhaps it is gradient:
always,
inexorably  i n t e r t w i n e d.

The Science

This poem was inspired by the evolving neuroscience surrounding creativity and cognition, particularly the debunking of the left-brain/right-brain dichotomy. For decades, popular culture and educational systems have perpetuated the idea that analytical thinking resides in the left hemisphere while creativity lives in the right. However, recent research reveals a more integrated perspective, whereby creativity emerges from neurological circuits that involve both hemispheres of the brain. Interestingly, disruption of these networks is commonly observed in neurological injuries and diseases, further emphasizing that creativity is not sequestered to one side of the brain but is fundamentally embedded in whole-brain function. One could hypothesize, therefore, that the creative process is critical in maintaining a healthy brain. More can be found here.

As both scientist and poet, I often feel the tension, and eventual collaboration, between these two ‘sides’ of my brain. When the tension is strongest, it often feels like I’m caught in a shouting match between the creative (emotional) and the logical (analytical) parts of my brain. It can be overwhelming to navigate, but my best work often comes after allowing them to work in collaboration. I wanted to capture the essence of both hemispheres being ‘inexorably intertwined’.

The Poet

Avryn Firestone is a scientist and poet from Arizona. She recently embraced poetry anew to unify the diverse threads of her life—as a scientist, wife, mother, and nature lover. She is the author of Winter Within, which explores resilience through vivid imagery and emotional depth. Her writing reflects a deep reverence for metaphor, whether rooted in nature or scientific enquiry, and often explores pain, parenting, faith, and mental health. Her work has been featured or is forthcoming in Poetic Reveries magazine, Cozy Ink Press, and Hydration. She also shares her creative journey on Instagram (@avrynfirestonepoetry)

Next poem: The Upwards Curve by Fiona Theokritoff