It’s just a number
She said
Which is true
Except
That just is not so just

It’s the sum of parts
Of nine
And eighteen
Of one
three, five, and two times two

It’s foreign lands
once walked
Sights, sounds, and smells
now locked
In mixed with here and now

It’s ordinary houses
Scattered
Across the globe
But each
A true home in its time

It’s life’s true love
To share
The madness
And joy
And walk down through the years

It’s son and daughters
New minds
All astounding
Familiar
And yet uncharted seas

It’s art created
And shared
And love received
From both
And tongues that shaped how eyes could see

It’s the sum of parts
Of nine
And eighteen
Of one
three, five, and two times two

It’s just a number
she said
Which is true
Except
That just…