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 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, 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 is in the public domain.
My love, you destroy me, you rend,
You tear me apart.
You are a wild swan I have caught
And housed in my heart.
My sister, my love, I am shattered,
Broken, dismayed.
The live wings, the wild wings are beating,
They make me afraid.
Fold your wings, brood like a dove,
Be a dove I can cherish
More calmly, my dear, my tempestuous love,
Or I perish.
From On a Grey Thread (Will Ransom, 1923) by Elsa Gidlow. This poem is in the public domain.