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 candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a 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.
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 candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a 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.
Reread from September :)
ReplyDeleteLast month when I was choosing poems I was choosing them out of all of the books on my shelves that I had never fully read. This entire sonnet series was one of them. I just keep reading this one over and over...but the rest are quite good too. I love the progression in their relationship and the need to not share everything. The love to hide this beautiful work, or give poetry as the real present. Man, can you even imagine being married to a poet, if you were a poet...just asking for deep thinking central 24/7...I used to think this was the most romantic notion, but after trying to work full time, manage exercise and nutrition, I decided to leave the full deep thinking until after I am retired or maybe I will change my mind...again.
I love the line, "If God choose." God isn't sitting back watching us. It's all done and over with; we just didn't finish precieving our lives yet.
ReplyDeleteDo you ever think that?