Summer is just beginning to stretch its legs. The air thickens with honeysuckle, the sun lingers a little longer each evening, and porches across Kentucky turn into quiet stages for reflection and conversation.
In Appalachia, the porch is more than a place—it’s a presence. It’s where stories are passed down, where neighbors gather, where the rhythm of the day slows into something sacred. At KSPS, we wanted to honor that tradition with this week’s poetry prompt: “porch.”
What memories does that word bring up for you? A creaky swing? Rain tapping on a tin roof? The scent of cut grass and the sound of cicadas rising like a chorus?
Our members have shared poems rooted in memory—of grandparents shelling peas, of long talks through screen doors, of fireflies blinking like Morse code. One poet wrote about sitting on the porch with their mother after a funeral, both of them quiet, listening to the wind.
There’s something uniquely poetic about porches. They’re both thresholds and sanctuaries. They let the world in without letting it overwhelm.
We invite you to join the conversation. Share your own “porch” poem with us on Instagram or email us for a chance to be featured on our Instagram stories. Whether it’s a haiku or a lyrical free verse, your words help us continue the rich storytelling tradition of this place we call home.
Kentucky State Poetry Society 