Poem for the weekend

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth & breadth & height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

From the ends of being & ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun & 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, & 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.

--Elizabeth Barett Browning