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.
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Reviews of "How Do I Love Thee, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning"
THANK YOU LA BELLE. THIS SHARING LED ME TO GOOGLE MS BROWNING SOMETHING I HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE. AND I HAD NEVER READ THIS POEM IN ITS ENTIRETY, THOUGH OF COURSE, THE FIRST AND LAST LINES...I HAD HEARD. INDEED, IT IS AN AGELESS POETIC JEWEL. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS KEEPER. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS.
No one says it better than Browning. I find that the historical style makes the idea of love more personal than many of our more contemporary poets would pen it. Much to be said for this posting of encouragement and trust in fate and destiny.
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Love ya!
Jane
How do I love thee?
When you are thigh-high in sand
When we are nose to nose and
Your breath intoxicates and ...
OK, you know the connections better than I.
Sensational.
Ron
Fee