Abstract and Concrete Thinking

Here we are. It’s already April, and at Experience Writing that means it’s time for NaPoWriMo (National (Global) Poetry Writing Month) and the A-Z Challenge.

This year, I will be looking at the A-Z of Depth. Here is a chart I made of the meanings of Depth, Deep, and Deepen:

As you can see, depth has many meanings. Some of its meanings are concrete and some are abstract.

Concrete thinking is the focus on things that we perceive and can experience with our senses, things we can measure. Abstract thinking focuses on the intangible, the theoretical: creativity, thoughts, ideas, and symbols.

Let’s take a look at aspects of depth separated into the abstract and the concrete:

I came to this year’s study of depth because I want depth in my writing (abstract) and because I’m fascinated by visual depth perception, how we specifically see and experience depth (concrete).

The What if and What If Game

There are many ways to practice abstract thinking. Here’s a quick game to get us started.

1. Start with something concrete. Find a small object you can hold in your hand. Note its size and shape, it’s color and texture. Does it make a sound? What does it smell like? Can you taste it?
2. Now, ask yourself a what if question about your object. Something fun like what if this object sprouted legs or wings. Now picture it. Imagine it happening. What would happen next?
3. Once you have imagined what would happen, ask yourself another what if. For example: When my object is flying around the room, what if it flew up the chimney, or what if it got caught in a spider’s web?

While engaged in abstract thinking, you can change every concrete aspect of your object—in your imagination.

Today’s Poem

The Principle of Polarity

“Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites . . . opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree . . .” —The Kybalion

In the best of times I feel like an abstraction
non-representational, not of this world
writing on the porch, warm in light’s beam
a body tingling thought into being

In the worst of times life lacks depth
like Arte concreto only line, shape, and color
Useless one-sided boxes house
grayscale paper-dolls with toothless slits for mouths

In the best of times life’s a Badinerie
light-hearted and teasing, a suite for flute and strings
Birdsong drowns out construction’s whine
Daffodils burst sunshine through blackberry vines

In the worst of times my world is verismo
operatic realism of the dregs in mundane conflict
A slip of the tongue is fodder for headlines
intended to induce fear in reactive minds

In the best of times I am a moto perpetuo
spinning wheels on an incline never to rest
In the worst of times I am like Urethane
useful and strong: I put a gloss on everything

This poem was inspired by today’s prompts at NaPoWriMo and Writer’s Digest’s April Poem a Day (PAD) Challenge.

Thank you so much for coming by and reading my post. Any thoughts or questions about Abstract and Concrete thought? Did you try the What If and What If Game? Come back tomorrow for more depth exploration and poetry. Happy April.