10.09.2007

how do I love thee?


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.


This particular verse by Elizabeth Barrett Browning never fails to inspire me as i go on with life, love, and faith. When i was a sophomore we read a lot of verses and this one instantly became a favorite. I wondered if i would ever experience the depth and sincerity described by the poet, whether by giving or taking love. The love that is portrayed here seems too good to be true, if not impossible, and i would admit to doubting the meaning of each lines and accounting them to the verbosity of the author.

But still, whether this is an honest expression of one's feelings or simply a product of a prolific mind, i'd still say that this poetry made me yearn to find that one great love who could make me look at life wonderfully in spite of all its contradictions: to see light whether it be coming from the sun or from a candle, to feel like it is a right, to breathe, to smile, to cry, and to even love even after death.

2 comments:

  1. wooow ... now i'm really excited to experience love ... este to be in love diay ... hehehe

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  2. Sum-one tld me that d'great Ric dU do not believe in love... I wonderd y?... Now, I think I understand... Love is not the emotional outburst... it is not the passion that most people feel... love is not just a feeling.. Love is profound... For example, love is a verb that means action takes place... what's that action? only a person experiencing love knows...

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