Autumn Nuance (Earth Altar) & Common Ground (Poem)

In art, contrast occurs when placing opposite elements alongside each other. The contrast in color, texture, and pattern can make a design more interesting. 

Polarities - polar opposites - are also important in art and in life. Without magnetic polarities, compasses wouldn't work and the earth wouldn't rotate. Polarities within and among ourselves - manifesting as conflicting beliefs, values, and understandings of the world - give us an opportunity to learn and grow. 

This has been on my mind and in my heart a lot these days. What level of contrast, polarity, and conflict helps us discover a deeper truth? And what level of clashing leads to chaos or harm? 

I know the value of taking a strong stand for that which we value and against that which we see as harmful. I also know the value of bridging difference and finding common ground. With this poem, I share my longing for - and appreciation of - the deeper, more nuanced ways of engaging as humans.

Poem: Common Ground

I want to elevate the debate
to a level where listening lives 

where nuance is known
and we ask questions 
with no easy answers 

I want to meet where we know 
that most perspectives 
contain only partial truths 

where together 
we risk our rightness
in service of a deeper wisdom

I want to release 
the reoccurring ideology 
wars that nobody wins 

so we can drop
from head to heart 
and produce a truce 
​
Maybe down here 
beneath all the noise
we will notice 
that our feet 
are standing 
on common ground

- Laura Loescher