When our daughter went to sleep Friday night, my husband and I watched “Sex and the City, the Movie”.  It’s laugh-out-loud funny, the fashion’s to die for (not literally), and the plot is entertaining for both sexes.  But, that’s not what I want to focus on here.

Without spoiling the movie for you–there’s a part when a series of love poems are read via email.  Being the sucker for romance that I am, I began to think about love, romance, and poetry.

People express love in different forms.  I wonder if poetry is still one of them.  Do you write love poems for your sweetie or receive them?  I haven’t, but my husband has written several that I just love.  I won’t post them here…at least not yet.

Instead, I will post my favorite classic love poem.  I just love the first line.  It puts me in a sentimental mood and I reflect on the numerous things I love about my husband rather than the many things that annoy me.  What’s yours and why?

“Sonnet XLIII, From the Portuguese”

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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 candlelight.

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.

This poem made it to page 43 of The Best Love Poems Ever:  Selections of the world’s greatest love poetry, edited by David Rohlfing. 

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