How Do I Love Thee

How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 - 1861 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. -------------- A response to above sonnet... -------------- How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I too love thee to the core of my heart as passion throbs wild and rips me apart, Forever long for your tight warm embrace, flows the red constantly through nights and days, For I do love thee from head till toes, moments in time putting end to all woes. True love showing loud and clear on my face grows tempestuous to its alpine grace, Only if you could relive faith and trust, tranquil the writhing soul rests in this crust, If ought to find peace in this quailing life, Compassion undone in death ends all strife. Written Feb 22nd, 2016 For contest by Mystic rose Inspired by poem by Elizabeth