Jesse Rowe Poet Sonnet

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The Measure of Love

How does one measure love in scope or scale?
  For if such ledger ever was designed
Then logic would over the heart prevail.
  So in this way must love be ever blind.
If love be love it cannot count the cost
  Or repossess what it in ransom pays.
Expecting such is love already lost
  When worth decides whether or not it stays.
But if I must assign it some amount
  Let time together be the cost we share
And by that measure, as for love's account,
  Let us not leave a coin of it to spare.

     I'll precious count each moment yet in store.
     My love, I offer all to you and more.

8.17.18

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CayCay Godwin August 18, 2026 at 7:12 AM I'm blown away and think Shakespeare would be hard pressed not to verbally acknowledge how well this is written. I came to thank you for your comments on "Just Not by Friday", your analogy is spot on. BUT what I got was the chance to enjoy a beautiful sonnet. Lucky Lady Me Jesse Rowe August 19, 2026 at 4:49 AM Thank you. This is a poem I am singularly proud of and I'm glad it is still being found and read.

Line Gauthier January 17, 2021 at 6:03 PM Beautiful poem, Jesse. So glad to find it in the pages of the 2020 PS Anthology ~

Sylvia Coulstock September 16, 2018 at 11:34 AM A truly lovely sonnet Jesse. It has a definite touch of Shakespeare about it and would sit well among his,even in this day and age. June.

Kenisha Shines September 16, 2018 at 4:50 AM very beautifully put.have a great day! :)

Allan Terry September 10, 2018 at 9:57 AM I LIKE YOUR STYLE, AND THINK YOUR WORD USAGE WAS DESIGNED TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POEM AND READER !

Line Gauthier September 8, 2018 at 5:15 PM Delightful, Jesse. Congrats on your win.

Gary Bateman September 8, 2018 at 5:51 AM Hello Jesse, I am really glad I took a read of your sonnet here on "The Measure of Love." Love is a most passionate emotion, perhaps beyond any true measure. Be that said, I do believe you've hit a definite poetic nerve with the descriptive nature of the measure of love with your words and metaphor -- and have done so most exquisitely!! A Superb Sonnet in every respect, and A FAVE!! Best Always, Gary Jesse Rowe September 8, 2018 at 7:24 AM Thank yo so much for your meaningful comment.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart September 7, 2018 at 12:57 PM Wow! Incredible piece Jesse! Gorgeous :)) xomo Jesse Rowe September 7, 2018 at 1:25 PM Oh, many thanks, Maureen.

Sylvia Coulstock September 6, 2018 at 6:36 PM A really lovely romantic poem culminating to the final declaration in your last very precious words.It definitely equates with Shakespeare’s sonnets Jesse,very skilful,congratulations on your win.June. Jesse Rowe September 7, 2018 at 1:25 PM That is just about the highest praise possible (eqatible to Shakespeare)! This is only my 3rd sonnet written and I had been reading his to get a feel for them.

Susan Ashley September 6, 2018 at 1:52 PM Jesse, your poem is such a deeply expressive sonnet of romantic love.. ' Let time together be the cost we share And by that measure, as for love's account, Let us not leave a coin of it to spare'.. how precious and all consuming this ecstasy of love is! Beautiful! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Susan Ashley September 6, 2018 at 3:49 PM Congratulations on your wonderful and well deserved trophy win as well.. Jesse Rowe September 6, 2018 at 3:03 PM Thank you so much for the comment, Susan.

John Hamilton September 6, 2018 at 8:35 AM Re-read the third time, get's better every time, now a fave of mine, congrats on number 1 of top 100!! Jesse Rowe September 6, 2018 at 11:44 AM That is some rarified air I never dared hope to reach. I am deeply honored and appreciative of the reception this poem recieved.

Gershon Wolf September 4, 2018 at 7:46 PM An immediate FAV for me, Jesse. So Shakespearean in its blending of love with precision measures, weights, and balancing. Bravo, poet! Best wishes, Gershon Jesse Rowe September 4, 2018 at 8:39 PM Thank you so much. I indeed tried to incorporate words about measurement in each line and then turned it on its head by giving more than all. Glad you enjoyed it.

Roy Pett September 4, 2018 at 4:44 AM Congratulations on your well deserved win Jesse with your excellent sonnet, thoroughly enjoyed reading. :)) Jesse Rowe September 4, 2018 at 7:53 AM Thank you so much. I'm glad it has been so well received.

Anisha Dutta September 4, 2018 at 2:42 AM 'My love, I offer all yo you' is the ultimate answer. BIG CONGRATS. Jesse Rowe September 4, 2018 at 7:50 AM And perhaps THAT, even more than time is the true measure. Because there is no measure to everything.

Edward Ibeh September 3, 2018 at 9:58 PM Congratulations on your win, Jesse!:-) Amazing poem! Jesse Rowe September 4, 2018 at 7:46 AM Thank you do much.

Heidi Sands September 3, 2018 at 5:56 PM Congratulations for your win. This is excellent :)

Janis Medders Tobechi September 2, 2018 at 9:11 PM Congratulations Jesse on your first place win. Great thoughts on the price of love. Blessings, Sian. Jesse Rowe September 4, 2018 at 7:46 AM Thank you, Sian.

John Gondolf September 2, 2018 at 5:35 PM Jesse, congrats on your trophy win for this great sonnet. A very unique thought on placing a value on love. All the best. John Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 9:09 PM Maybe not entirely unique, but a different spin at least. My inspiration was somewhat of a response to the poem "how do I love thee? Let me count the ways." It got me thinking about why we would attempt to enumerate love. Thanks for the comment.

John Hamilton September 2, 2018 at 2:35 PM An instant classic sonnet, congrats Jesse on your great win! Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 9:07 PM Thank you so much, John.

Sandra Haight September 2, 2018 at 10:16 AM True love has no measure except for its endurance of togetherness in time. Love the theme in your beautiful, well-written Sonnet, Jesse, and congratulations on your First Place Trophy win! Sandra Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 3:30 PM Indeed. Thank you for the read and sweet comment.

John Lawless September 2, 2018 at 8:33 AM Beautifully done Jesse, congrats on a well deserved top spot. Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 3:18 PM Thank you so much, John.

Viv Wigley September 2, 2018 at 1:01 AM This is lovely, Jesse, and a worthy win. Congratulations! Viv x Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 3:09 PM Many thanks, Viv.

Connie Marcum Wong September 1, 2018 at 9:49 PM OMG this is romantic and brilliant simultaneously Jesse! It deserves the First Place trophy my friend! Great pick Emile! Congratulations! : ) Jesse Rowe September 2, 2018 at 7:01 AM Thank you so much! I'm happy it has been so well received.

Emile Pinet September 1, 2018 at 7:21 PM Congratulations Jesse! Your poem has placed First in my PoetrySoup contest. Very well done my friend, Emile. Jesse Rowe September 1, 2018 at 7:24 PM Thank you so much. I'm honored.