A fascinating research study was conducted a couple years ago that turned up some surprising connections between memory and poetry. When poetry (and prose) is read or listened to, the same emotional, neurological reactions take place inside the brain that occur when music is listened to. Music, of course, has previously been shown to be a useful tool for memory care and support, but this new finding has further expanded our understanding of how the brain works and stores memory—representing a huge step forward for memory care.

Lately we’ve all been hearing a lot about the science of neuroplasticity. The popular and mesmerizing television show “Brain Games” frequently brings up the notion of “use it or lose it.” And one of the show’s sponsors is Luminosity, a web-based program that offers users fun games to play that purportedly enhance your brain’s neurotransmitters. These are all fun ways to make your brain more active in general. But if better memory care is your specific goal, it appears that poetry is the tool you should be using.

How Exactly Does Poetry Enhance Memory?

It all has to do with brain activation. Research tells us that, much like with physical fitness, the more you exercise, the more you improve and prolong brain performance.

You probably already know that your brain performs various functions in certain areas:

• The cerebrum, the largest part of the brain, contains tools which are responsible for most of the brain's function.
• The cerebellum, often called the “little brain,” controls essential body functions such as balance, posture and coordination.
• The limbic system houses glands which help relay emotions.
• The brain stem controls basic life functions like heart beat and breathing.

And within these regions even more specificity exists. The hippocampus, located within the limbic system, for example, acts as a kind of memory index, converting temporary memories into long term memories that are stored in the brain.

When poetry is read, a whole complement of areas in the brain are engaged—from those associated with comprehension to those responsible for memory retrieval.

How Can I Use Poetry to Better My Memory?

It’s really simple. Read poetry. Listen to poetry. Enjoy poetry. Especially familiar poetry or favorite poems from your childhood. If you’re unsure if you’ve ever liked poetry, consider this. Most childhood nursery rhymes are simple poems. Remember “Little Miss Muffet”? Or the short little ditty, “I’m a Little Teapot”? Of course you do. Those are both examples of small poems that you can use to warm up the memory part of your brain.

Next, you can move on to poetry that you learned as you got older. You might have learned some rhyming prayers or made a wish on a starry night on a little star. You probably just thought of, “Twinkle, twinkle little star,” right?

What if I Don’t Know Many Poems by Heart?

If you’re not a natural poetry lover, you may think you don’t know many poems. But you probably know more than you think. Do you have any song lyrics memorized? Most songs are just prose and poetry set to music. Remember that all poetry doesn’t have to rhyme. It simply has to be lyrical.

How about the song from 1941, “We Did It Before and We Can Do It Again”? Chances are the words are coming back to you right now. And chances are you have a lot more song lyrics in your head that you’re starting to recall.

It’s Easy and Natural

Giving yourself a memory boost through poetry is easy and natural. It requires nothing more than either sitting back and listening while someone recites to you, or reading it aloud for your friend’s enjoyment. You don’t have to measure the outcome, “listen hard,” or try to memorize anything. Your brain will do all the work, just as it has been doing your entire life.

Why not take advantage of the activities of National Poetry Month this year? Reading or listening to poetry or prose is a pleasant way to enhance your memory in a relaxing and pleasant way. Who knows, you may even be inspired to write some of your own poetry and then share some of your poetic words with the ones you love.