How Do I Love Thee?
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 candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a 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.
I am particularly fond of this poem for a number of reasons. If any of you have seen "A Little Romance", you may remember that it's mentioned in glowing terms in the movie by Lawrence Olivier's character. If you haven't seen that movie, I highly recommend that you find it. It's a great movie.
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