Response To 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 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. ************************************* Should I count all the ways that I love you? There are oh so many ways to revere Must be another way to assess, dear If I use a ruler, what would ensue? Summating inches, would that ever do? Are "he loves me" petals worthy entries? Perchance, peaceful picnics under zen trees? How do I love thee, is this deja vu? Already measured the treasures you are The secret allure of black diamond eyes That smile...radiates gold like the North Star, Rubied heart... can't start to deduce it's size Inaccurate calculations thus far Even in sunset, ever the sunrise