POETRY 2024: Positive Space by Laurelyn Sayah

Positive Spaceby Laurelyn SayahAnother big issuefor our little townwas a grant for new logoswe couldn’t turn down.It’s not easy to pickjust one image, we found,for a spot known as specialthe whole world around.With so many good folks andhappenings in this place,the first shape put a frownon everybody’s face.We were all unitedby what we didn’t like,but then told each otherto go take a hike.The debacle was reportedby the Mountain Ear,which brought forth ideas,so let’s give them a cheer.An artist thought ofspecial places she’s known,and what was in commonwith the one she calls home.It’s the journey to get here,the beauty and friendships,the desire to staydespite nature’s hardships.So she tried out a sketchto capture that sense,hoping to easea discourse gone tense.Then other designersgave it a trace,and a positive meaningfor negative space.After some changingof lines that were blurred,the shape of the landscapeturned into a bird!...or maybe a dragon,or the dove on peace signs,or a phoenix rising upfrom frozen dead designs.Step back and look closer,whatever the feather,what you see is resultingfrom working together,and from difficult process,but now that it’s done,let’s enjoy the efforts,because everybody won.Use the moose and the bearfor stickers on your car,or make into boops,(whatever those are).Taglines on t-shirtswould look great in black,and at least we don’t have togive grant money back.Best not to get stuckon what might offendwhen we face many morebig decisions to attend.We’re still shoveling out,and soon we’ll be weeding,so helping each otheris what we are needing.There’s so much hereto be grateful for,and spiraling upliftwill make even moreSpring is here Nederland!So get out in the sun,Change up the clocks,and let’s all have some fun!Our theme song is courtesy of singer-songwriter Brittney Wagner. Stream her record Better off Dead here. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below.If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact:Barbara Hardt, our editor-in-chief, at [email protected] Hickman, multimedia producer, at [email protected] Lammers, podcast host, at [email protected] inquiries: [email protected] to our website for all of the latest news. Subscribe to The Mountain-Ear in print and online.Submit local events to promote them in the paper and on our website.Find us on Facebook @mtnear and Instagram @mtn.earListen and watch on YouTube today.Share this podcast by scrolling to the bottom of our website home page or by heading to our main hub on Buzzsprout.Thank you for listening!