Emotion recollected in tranquility

I really like the following observation by Wordsworth of poetry:

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”

I think this is true of all forms of creativity. When I am in an emotionally overwrought state, I find it impossible to create. In effect, all of the circuits are jammed by emotions that are too powerful to channel in any useful way.

But my memories of such moments are pure gold, creatively speaking. I can endlessly mine my recollection of those highly emotional moments, and use them to infuse art.

I wonder whether this is a general state of the human condition. Is the general story behind the soaring melody of an aria, or a painting that renders us speechless with its transcendent beauty?

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