I found that it wasn't so oddball to like music and poetry and

In the great span of human history, there have always been those whose spirits were drawn to the mystical connection between different forms of art. In the words of J. Carter Brown, "I found that it wasn't so oddball to like music and poetry and visual arts, they're kindred spirits." This revelation is not just a casual observation, but a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the creative arts—how each form speaks to the soul in different ways, yet all share the same essence of human expression. Music, poetry, and visual art are like branches of the same tree, each reaching out in different directions but rooted in the same spiritual soil. To love one, it seems, is to love them all.

In the ancient world, the Greeks held this connection in the highest regard. They understood that the pursuit of beauty and truth was not confined to one medium but was the divine spark that could ignite across many forms. The great Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras is perhaps most famous for his studies on the harmony of the cosmos, understanding that music and mathematics were intertwined. The musical scale itself was based on ratios and numbers, revealing a hidden order in the universe that could be appreciated through both sound and structure. Similarly, Plato, in his writings on the ideal state, discussed how the arts—music, poetry, and visual representation—served as pathways to understanding the divine truth. In these ancient traditions, the pursuit of the arts was not divided into isolated categories; rather, they were seen as intertwined pathways to the same higher wisdom.

Like the ancient philosophers, the great artists of the Renaissance, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, embodied this harmonious connection between the arts. Da Vinci, for example, was not just a painter, but also a musician, scientist, and engineer, understanding the importance of all forms of creation as integral to a deeper understanding of the world. His sketches of human anatomy not only reflect his love for the visual arts but also reveal his knowledge of music and mathematics. In his mind, the act of creating a piece of art was not separate from the act of understanding the universe itself. The kindred spirits of music, poetry, and visual arts were all expressions of the same creative fire, and da Vinci lived with a passion for each.

In the modern world, Brown's realization echoes the ancient wisdom: art does not exist in isolated silos, but rather as interwoven threads of the same tapestry. Consider the work of T.S. Eliot, whose poetry was profoundly influenced by the rhythms and harmonies of music, as well as his deep knowledge of visual art. His famous poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a brilliant example of how the sound and cadence of language can create a musical experience for the reader, while also drawing on the rich visual imagery of modernist art. Eliot, much like the poets and artists of the ancient world, understood that to engage with one form of expression was to engage with them all. Poetry, music, and visual art were not disparate forces; they were reflections of the same human desire to create and to communicate the truths of existence.

The lesson we can draw from Brown's words is one of unity in diversity—how our understanding of beauty and creativity can transcend the limits of one discipline. To be drawn to music, poetry, and visual arts is not an eccentricity but a natural and fulfilling expression of the human spirit. Like Leonardo, Plato, and Eliot, we must come to recognize the interconnectedness of all art forms. When we appreciate one, we are, in fact, tapping into the same universal truths that bind all forms of human expression. Whether we are listening to a symphony, reading a poem, or gazing at a painting, we are engaging in the same search for meaning, for understanding, and for beauty. These forms are not separate, but united in their quest to help us understand the world and ourselves.

In your own life, embrace the connections between the arts. Do not limit yourself to only one form of expression but allow your soul to be enriched by the diverse ways in which beauty is revealed. Explore music, poetry, and visual art with equal fervor, and you will find that each speaks to a different aspect of your being. If you are a musician, let the rhythms of poetry inspire your melodies. If you are a poet, let the visual beauty of the world shape your words. If you are a painter, let music be the soundtrack of your creation. In doing so, you will discover the kindred spirits of art and unlock a deeper, more complete understanding of the world that surrounds you. Through this integration, you become part of the ancient lineage of creators, linking your passions to those who have come before you and who will follow after.