The Greenhouse

I live in the middle of a common wealth
In a red house with a chimney.

Across the street is a house that used to be gray,
But after my five day primary, it turned into a greenhouse
That has beautiful flowers in front.

The radiant flowers are tended by my neighbor.
He is a man who lived on an island for eighteen years,
But left and journeyed across the sea
To marry and raise five children in the house.

He looks like my grandfather
Who had three names with the last one being Joe.
On his right is a red house.
On his left is a blue house.
His is a greenhouse.

Three cars are parked in the driveway.
One red.
One white.
One blue.
The white car is more valuable
Than any of our two that have ever been red and blue.

But the white car becomes even more valuable
When I see the Florida plates 
And the man with three native looking women and a baby who exit it.

A gray car is parked on the street in front of the house.
I remember once seeing it there
With a woman standing outside near the trunk.
It made me nervous at first
Until I understood that the woman 
Was here to be with her family.

You and I watch the house together
In our blue chairs
With your red necklace
Against your white skin 
Covered by your blue dress.

We have been married for eighteen years.
I said to you that you are a queen.
I said to you that I am a king.
I said to you that as king and queen we are equal.
But an Englishman who took our table at breakfast one morning
Explained to his child that the queen was the most important.
And he was correct.

It is Father's Day and at our feet sits our black and white dog
In his red harness.
His name comes from Chet's son.

I live in the middle of a common wealth
In a red house with a chimney.