Gilbert Waits

I understand many things.
Study is easy, but fun when she,
the red-haired girl,
Anne with an E,
is there.
She's challenging. She's witty. She's impossible.
I hope she enjoys our verbal wars.
I know I do.

We plan. We try to change
little things in this little town
that's home.
She is Anne of Green Gables.
She is Anne of Avonlea.
She is Anne of the Island.

I am Gilbert of Avonlea.
Of the Island.
I remember so many details of
this woman who was once a girl.
She makes me ache.
I saw her once, the clouds parted for a moment
and I saw her heart burst through in her eyes.
I smiled:
having seen it, I had to win it.

But she loves another--
or thinks she does--
and has forgotten me.
Almost.
For a while I couldn't see her,
but now, for a split second,
I saw that spark, that flame, again.
For a moment...then it was gone.

Now I am on the hunt
to break my heart on her sweet heart
like she once broke a slate on my head.