Joe Dimino | + Follow Poet |
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How Do I Love Thee

I don't know
that love has a 
bucket list,

a program best
to follow...and
writers do seem often
inclined more amorous 
of
text...

especially us poets, flag
carriers of the heart,

seldom an emotion
not expressed
by pen in part

like an accountant
tallying feelings
numbers his bread
and butter

one has to wonder
if the physical and
the sheet ever entirely
meet

did the composition
a real body fullest greet

or sometimes is writing
Love's happy-face hiding
fearful retreat

“how much do I love thee?”
I have not read Browning's
reply in equally great verse...

were I the beneficiary
my cry of joy would
blush the very sky
a splash of passion never
to be rivaled nor dimmed

for all the world to see
therefore, Elisabeth
was it so deeply also 
Robert's eternity

was such fond declaration
the height of shared human
affection
or mere sonnet of romantic
poetic perfection

the heart
too often
a heart of letters

Copyright © Joe Dimino | Year Posted 2023

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Valsa George Date: 4/2/2023 12:39:00 AM The love between Elizabeth Barret Browning and her husband was a love that covered the entire length and breadth of life. It was never a splash of passion that died out like an ember. It was 'the height of shared human affection' and not simply 'a sonnet of romantic poetic perfection'! She looked forward to loving him even beyond death ! I remember to have studied this poem- 'How Do I Love Thee' in my college days ! Beautiful poem dear Joe Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 4/2/2023 7:29:00 AM It is indeed one of the greatest love poems every written, and I like to believe you are right, that love was not merely on paper. Some 500 personal letters to support their devotion. Thank you, Valsa. One must study love if to truly know it...parents our first teachers. And there are those who cannot write a word, who perhaps love just as deeply. Maybe more. I sometimes, shamefully wonder if I love the word or the object more? I want to believe, that in my heart, they are in tandem.

Joanna Daniel Date: 3/31/2023 9:07:00 PM So true, Joe, many times we speak more about love than show it in our actions, we should be loving more:) Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 4/1/2023 6:22:00 AM Hi Joanna; for sure, when we are at our best, most honest with ourselves and humanity, actions and words should match. Of course, right and wrong also come into play...at times, far more dicier. Thank you my friend. Blessings.

Speaks Volumes Date: 3/31/2023 3:59:00 AM The Brownings were a loving pair, but is declaring your love on paper, very fare? Needing to count the ways by committing it to print? Surly love is more worthy than that and personal too. I prefer a whisper a touch, a smile, even a wink, much more than receiving love via ink ! I great poem Joe. Enjoyed it, Best wishes Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 3/31/2023 4:40:00 AM Hi Wen; as writers, the dramatic is very appealing to us. I often think, when it comes to great literature, that Shakespeare surely revised his works, performance to performance, with input from his wonderful performers. So, Shakespeare's texts were probably a collaboration of like minds, with a brilliant leader who loosely set the theme and stage. True greatness is in the doing. And that often is only known by God, self the least accurate source for such decipher, wisely unwilling to take credit. A brilliant man, respected and admired by many, once said, near the end of his days: "I have done nothing".

Victor Buhagiar Date: 3/31/2023 1:48:00 AM A poem that deals with contrasts. Login to Reply Joe Dimino Date: 3/31/2023 3:39:00 AM Thank you, Victor. True. Sort of more like life: what we see contrasted against what is said. What we are told, and what personal history has revealed, often in stark contrast. I am finding the internet a less and less source for reliable reference, often geared toward social or political manipulation. Don't discard your old encyclopedias. Blessings my friend.