MAY GOD BLESS FRANCES ... R.I.P.

An Elegy for Frances Irene Jordan
* 9/22/22 to 4/7/11 *
© - Tom Hyland - 4/2/11


In anticipation of Frances’ passing
I thought about writing something nice to say -
But, I never knew her well, and she deserved Better!


So, I spent several hours on the Internet,
Searching for an appropriate poem by a Master.


Burns, Dickinson, Frost, Longfellow,
Millay, even Teasdale - nothing really seemed apropos.


Then, it Dawned on me -
One of the Greatest Love Poems ever Written -


And, it Could Very Well Summarize -

Frances’ Eternal Love For You!


I Hope You Agree ...


How Do I Love Thee?
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning


How do I love Thee? Let me count the Ways.
I love Thee to the Depth and Breadth and Height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of Sight
For the ends of Being and Ideal Grace,


I love Thee to the level of Every Day's
Most quiet need, by Sun and Candle Light.
I love Thee Freely, as men strive for Right;
I love Thee purely, as they turn from Praise.


I love Thee with the Passion put to Use
In my old Griefs, and with my Childhood's Faith.
I love Thee with a Love I seemed to Lose
With my Lost Saints,-


I love Thee with the Breath,
Smiles, Tears, of All my Life!-
And, if God Choose,
I shall but Love Thee Better after Death.

***

Requiescant In Pace, Dearest Frances.