September 2025 Our Country Needs: Front Porches

 

I noticed the front porch before I moved into my house; but, it was not something I thought I needed. I had memories of sharing afternoons and evenings on the porch at my grandparents' home. Sadie and Fanny would stop by to talk, cousins would rock on the squeaky bench, and my grandmother would snap beans or mend, and talk. 

I have no adult memories of a front porch close to neighbors as I always lived in modern houses with back decks where families gather away from neighbors. Somewhere, post WWII, American homes and people, in my opinion, started to become isolated even as foreign policy had us more involved than ever in supporting and defending others. 

What I have deduced, since moving here, is that with a front porch, it's hard/impossible to avoid your neighbors. We are a diverse group in age, careers, and political opinions. On my little corner of the block we are families and singles, liberals and conservatives, followers and leaders, from 2 to 85. Some have beach houses and know the Pottery Barn Delivery driver 's name, while others mow their lawns and watch expenses. Yet, we talk and for the most part, are respectful and kind, because if you have a front porch, you cannot avoid at least acknowledging your neighbors.  

All this leaves me to the sort of poem, loosely borrowed from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie that rumbled through my mind after my neighbor circled by to ask about my electrician, and we talked about their tree, and then we moved onto who might become governor, and the annual town yard sale, and reading instruction today, and good books, and even the President.......because that is what you do if you have a front porch and your neighbors are just a few feet away! 

If you have a front porch, 

Your neighbors will see you leave and enter.

If they see you leave and enter, 

They will stop and ask how you are, or

Inquire about your comings and goings. 

If they ask, you might tell them about 

Teaching, swimming, volunteering.

They might tell you about 

Jobs, kids, politics, may seep in, too.

Even if you are hesitant to go there

You might talk about perspectives

UN induced traffic, immigration, taxes,

New car costs, American cars with foreign made parts,

Reading and writing instruction, teacher salaries,

Greek/Turkish/Asian take out food, taxes,

Local fall festivals, garage sales, dogs,

If you (and this is the plural you) talk and share points of view,

You (and this is the plural you) may just find that you (and this is the plural you) 

Agree on way more than you (and this is the plural you) disagree.

You (and this is the plural you) may see how family history, experiences,

Children, dogs, friends, colleagues drive perspectives.

You (and this is the plural you) may agree to disagree 

On means and ends, political parties, religion.

You (and this is the plural you) might sigh and

Look beyond yard signs that are clearly red or blue.

You (and this is the plural you) may say, 

"I hope you are right," and mean it,

You (and this is the plural you) may just learn to 

Talk and listen respectfully

I do realize this is a stretch, but perhaps, I pondered on the porch, if there was a way for Congress, the Supreme Court, White House, Immigrant groups, Medicare Groups, Social Security recipients, Veteran groups, Civil Servants, diverse ethnic and religious groups, and................to find front porches where they must pay common bills, walk past each other and look each other in the eye every day? It's easier to boast and bluster, moan and complain, Tik Toc and tweet, and when you (and this is the plural you) do not look your (and this is the plural your) neighbor in the eye.