Poetry Sunday

And what else could I choose for Poetry Sunday of a Valentine's Day weekend? ...

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways

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.

Have a great weekend with the one you love. If you have the misfortune to be in NoVa this morning, dress warmly and keep holding on to something solid ... it's bitterly cold, the wind is howling, and it's a really good day to stay in bed with someone warm. 

More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

* How did she get such a bad sunburn? Did Elizabeth bare it, browning?