This quote vividly captures the simplicity and naivety often associated with childhood creativity. The imagery of houses drawn by a child, with their shaky squares and triangles for roofs, evokes a sense of innocence and unpretentious charm. It highlights how children’s artistic expressions tend to be straightforward and unpolished, yet full of imagination. The act of adding a door and windows to a house drawing symbolizes the natural progression of creative effort—initial ideas expanding into more detailed and complete representations. The mention of contemplating a tree in the yard but then deciding against it because the branches are too troublesome introduces a playful cynicism or practical concern that adults might neglect in their art or imagination. It hints at how practicality often curtails the enthusiasm of imagination, and it can reflect broader themes of idealism versus realism. There's a subtle commentary on the human tendency to simplify and sometimes dismiss the complexity that beauty or richness might bring. The imagery also suggests a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, reminding us that art—whether literal or metaphorical—begins with simple, imperfect sketches. In life, we often replicate these small sketches, building upon them with ideas, doubts, and pragmatic considerations. This quote encourages us to cherish the unpolished and imperfect, recognizing that these are part of the porch of creativity and personal expression. It resonates with the universal experience of childhood seeing the world with wonder and a sense of possibility, which sometimes dimmed by practicality but always worth revisiting.

( When You Are Engulfed in Flames ) - David Sedaris