In Johnson Bottom, the lots were small
So the houses were built close together
Everyone knew everyone else's business
And some friendships were forged forever

The back of our house faced the Fletcher's back porch
And the Ward family lived in the house next door
Mother grew very close to June and Opal over the years
The thing we all had in common was being poor

Each house and lot in the bottom was fenced all around
Women talked while hanging clothes on lines strung from trees
The backyard fences seemed to be the gathering places
Where they exchanged the latest gossip and recipes

Men folk gathered on each others' back porches
Or in the lane where they chewed the fat and whittled
Usually talking about sports, the kids or the mines
Times were simple and fun when we were little

There were several hundred adults and children
Crammed in the homes where coal miners were housed
We kids used to try and hear what they talked about
Our ears piqued and childish curiosity aroused

We never had a shortage of friends and playmates there
Though in different States now, many still keep in touch
The adults are all gone and the kids have grandchildren
It's good to have old friends that still mean so much

Butler's store was to the south; Dotson's to the north
And Peter Creek flowed by the east side of the bottom
We played in the creek and bought goodies at the stores
Treats didn't come easy and we were glad when we got 'em

The adults played horseshoes; we kids played other games
In the Summer time, till it got too dark to see
Then, with the porch lights on, and sitting in the swing
The men played their musical instruments and we would sing

I heard talk over the fences that I never understood
And, to a little girl, didn't even make much sense
I still recall the times when our parents and their friends
Talked and gossiped over the old back fence

Kathleen McCoy EldridgeŠ
October 14, 2007
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