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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

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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

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:)

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

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.

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.