Sonnet XLIII: How Do I Love Thee?

On this Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share a well-known and cherished love poem by Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She wrote this for Robert (I have an 1883 copy of some his poetry selections- he was an amazing poet, too), and upon his insistence, they were published. In 1861, she died in his arms.

I never get tired of reading this...

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.

♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥