Poetry from heart to raise awareness of brain

A junior doctor with a love of writing has published a collection of moving poems written by people affected by neurological conditions.

The Poetical Lobe Anthology was launched recently at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research, as part of the centre’s fifteenth anniversary celebrations.

Proceeds from book sales will towards the CBR’s pioneering research into brain injury and disease.

Loredana Podolska-Kint, the curator and editor of The Poetical Lobe, says she was inspired to compile the anthology after her undergraduate placement on a neurology ward, where she encountered remarkable stories of resilience and recovery.

"The power of poetry as a form of self-expression cannot be overstated," Loredana says.

"I wanted to provide a platform for New Zealanders affected by neurological conditions to share their stories in a way that resonates with readers on an emotional level, while at the same time raising awareness for neurological conditions and research.”

The anthology is penned by 55 diverse authors, from doctors and medical students, patients and whanau, through to a composer, a software engineer and many others.

The one thing they all have in common is they have been impacted by neurological disease.

Among the contributors are notable published authors like Glenn Colquhoun (famed poet and children’s writer), Renee Liang (award-winning poet, playwright and paediatrician) and Sarah Quigley (best-selling novelist), alongside first-time poets.

Renowned artist Paul Hartigan also contributed several poems, adding to the anthology’s unique tapestry of voices.

The book can be purchased via the Copy Press website: copypress.co.nz/shop/ 
 

About The Poetic Lobe

The collection aims to highlight the transformative power of poetry, showcasing personal journeys and experiences through written expression.

Dr Loredana Podolska-Kint is the curator and editor of The Poetical Lobe project and works as a junior doctor. During her medical studies, she self-published two books, a nature anthology titled Reflections and a science poetry book called What Are You Made Of? She has given a TEDx talk on the power of poetry, and visits schools to introduce young writers to poetry.

The poems deal with a range of neurological diseases and challenges, including dementia, cerebral palsy, neurodivergence, Parkinson's Disease, stroke, epilepsy, migraines, aphasia, postpartum mental health, atrial fibrillation, and caring for children with neurological conditions, to name a few.

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