Using neuroimaging and behavioral responses, we show that recited poetry can be a powerful stimulus for eliciting peak emotional reactions, including chills and objectively measurable goosebumps that engage the primary reward circuitry—a heat map of chills for one experimenter-selected poem with four stanzas. The coloring of the squares corresponds to the number of chills a word elicited across all participants in the first study.  MRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a brain imaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It relies on the fact that when a brain region is more active, it requires more oxygen, leading to increased blood flow, which the fMRI detects. This allows researchers to observe which brain areas are involved in specific cognitive or emotional tasks. Emily Dickinson’s poem “The Brain—is wider than the Sky—” explores the vastness and power of the human mind. Through metaphors, Dickinson compares the brain to the sky, the sea, and even to God, emphasizing its ability to contain and comprehend the infinite. The poem suggests that the brain, though physically small, has a limitless capacity for thought, imagination, and understanding, making it more expansive than even the natural world. It’s a meditation on the mind’s extraordinary potential. To activating emotional centers in the brain, reading poetry also engages the regions involved in processing language. While the emotional impact of poetry can be powerful and immediate, the cognitive processing involved in understanding and appreciating poetic language is also important. For example, a poem that describes a sunset in vivid detail can elicit feelings of awe, beauty, and tranquility. the limbic system in poetry evokes strong emotional responses. Language processes in two parts of the brain: Broca’s area: responsible for speech production and rhythm. Wernicke’s area: involved in understanding complex language and richer word processing; poetry engages areas dealing with metaphor and symbolism. The brain uses memory and recalls repetitive structures: rhyme and meter improve memory retention. Activation of memory networks: poetry aids in storing and recalling information. cognitive flexibility: decoding metaphors enhances mental agility. prefrontal cortex activation: higher-order thinking engaged by interpreting poetry. analytical vs. creative thinking: the brain balances logic and imagination. theory of mind (ToM) understanding other’s emotions and perspectives through poetic narratives. Dopamine release: a well-crafted line triggers pleasure circuits. eureka effect; insightful moments of understanding stimulate reward pathways. default mode network (DMN): activated during poetry reading, promoting self-reflection.Rhymtic effects: poetic meter calms the mind, similar to meditation. mindfulness and relaxation: poetry can reduce stress and enhance relaxation. stress- relief: reading or listening to poetry can activate circuits that reduce stress therapeutic value: used in therapy for emotional release and calming the nervous system.