The Neighbor's Porch

The Neighbor’s Porch

over the years, I watched them from a distance,
glasses clinking, shared food, toasts,
laughter, connection,
inclusion.
i’d walk by in the darkness, the pool of
porch light not quite extending

to the sidewalk.
i always wanted to be on that porch.
i wanted to hold a glass of chilled white wine
that the neighbor carefully chose, listen to their stories,
dream of the impossibility of being asked to share my own.
tonight i sat on that porch, listened to their stories,
and was asked to share my own.
i was included.
i was very
happy.