Friday, February 13, 2009

How Do I Love Thee?

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When I taught senior English in high school, I would use this sonnet for my Valentine's Day lesson. Teenagers L❤VED it. I would ask a young man to read aloud, and it never failed to produce sighs from several young ladies.

One year, a young lady said, "That was on a card! I saw it on a card!" New respect was given to Elizabeth Barret Browning when this student realized that Browning's writing was worthy of Hallmark!


How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
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 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.

A bit of background: One morning in 1847, this poem was presented to her husband after breakfast. It took years of persuading from him for her to allow it to be published, along with her other works.

I wish for all of you much love today and always.

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45 comments:

  1. AprilFebruary 13, 2009 at 6:33 AM

    I have always loved that sonnet. I can just imagine the deep sighs that those high school girls made when it was being recited! At that age, they LIVE for romance!

    Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and enjoy your weekend!

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  2. ♥ KathyFebruary 13, 2009 at 6:57 AM

    Happy Valentine's Day Sally! ♥ ♥ ♥

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  3. JillFebruary 13, 2009 at 7:06 AM

    Happy Valentines Day tomorrow! :)

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  4. Betsy Banks AdamsFebruary 13, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    Wonderful, Sally... I have always loved the sonnet..AND I'm one to 'sigh' when hearing it read..

    We're going to be gone a couple of days--celebrating Valentine's Day doing some 'waterfalling'...

    Happy Valentine's Day,
    Betsy

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  5. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaFebruary 13, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Much love to you too Sally...Happy VD...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  6. tammyFebruary 13, 2009 at 8:56 AM

    What a sweet post! And I'm laughing about the girl and the card. Funny.

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  7. BridgetFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    What a beautiful post. I wish you and Johnny a wonderful Valentine's Day!
    Hugs, Bridget

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  8. bjFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:22 AM

    A beautiful post, sweet Sally.
    I know you and your one true love will have a wonderful Valentines Day.
    Me? I will be sharing the day with my Valentine and 4 grands!! :O) Doesn't get much better than that!
    xo bj

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  9. KristenFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    That is one of my favorite poems. It speaks what so many of us want to say but can't.

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  10. Missy WertzFebruary 13, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    *Sigh* it is a beautiful sonnet.

    I can imagine if you chose the right young man with the right voice with a room full of teenage girls.... LOL!!! Sighs indeed. LOL!

    Happy Valentines Day!

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  11. GattinaFebruary 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    I didn't know that Valentine's day was such a big feast in the States. In Belgium we don't celebrate it very much, only young couples.

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  12. JulesFebruary 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    I haven't heard or read that poem in years. thanks for sharing.

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  13. JudyBugFebruary 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    One of my very favorites. Thanks for sharing those timeless words of romance!

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  14. Needled MomFebruary 13, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    What a great high school assignment. I can imagine the sighs.

    Happy Valentine's Day.

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM

    That has to be one of the most romantic poems in history.

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  16. Musings of A MinisterFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    I used these beautiful words many, many times in my years as a Pastor.
    Thanks for reminding us of them once again. Always beautiful!

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Always been a favorite!

    Kathy b

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  18. DarleneFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    That is truly beautiful! Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!♥

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  19. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    Isn't that sonnet beautiful. Thank you for your comment on our home...LOVE is exactly what I want people to see in our home...thank you. Happy Valentine's Day!

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  20. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 12:23 PM

    Happy Valentines, and that is one of my favorite poems ever. Thanks for sharing it.

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  21. CarrieFebruary 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    It has been many years since I last read that poem...It is still magnificient.

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  22. P.February 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    It's very nice.

    Alfazema

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  23. The Quintessential MagpieFebruary 13, 2009 at 12:51 PM

    On our first anniversary, Mr. Magpie gave me this love poem in a book of poems. Thanks for reminding me of how much I love it, Sally!

    Xo,

    Sheila :-)

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 1:39 PM

    Dear Sally that is my favorite sonnet. I know it is meant for lovers but I posted it in a little book I gather together for my three son's. It's so beautiful! Thank you for posting this lovely sonnet today. Happy Saint Valentine's Day :>)

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM

    Love the sonnet so perfect for valentine !!
    Happy Valentine Day to you and have a wonderful weekend.

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  26. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2009 at 2:05 PM

    This is so sweet. I wish I had had an English teacher like you. I think I would have enjoyed the subject more.
    Charlotte

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  27. HeatherFebruary 13, 2009 at 2:43 PM

    very sweet indeed. Happy Valentine's Day to you.

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  28. KilllashandraFebruary 13, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    Elizabeth Barrett Browning is awesome! That one of her most famous sonnets without a doubt but she has so much other wonderful work too. I've studied her several times in college literature classes and she's definitely a favorite. :)

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  29. A Hint of HomeFebruary 13, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Thank you for the sweet post. Love the sonnet.

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  30. Hootin AnniFebruary 13, 2009 at 4:54 PM

    I majored in English Lit....all thanks to a fabulous High School English Teacher....Mrs. Sanderson was her name....I'll never forget her!!!! [many decades ago!!!]

    Hope you can find time to stop by my 2nd edition of three installments of my troll collection if you haven't yet.

    Happy Valentine's Day!!!

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  31. KarenFebruary 13, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    Beautiful! Thank you for sharing it...and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, Sally!
    Karen

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  32. Heidi PocketbookFebruary 13, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    I am lol, thinking back 30 years to my Sophomore English class. I can just imagine how red-faced a couple of the guys in my class would have been to read it. That would have been so much fun! I'll bet you were one awesome teacher!

    Hope you have a great weekend, Sally!

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  33. Susan @ A Southern DaydreamerFebruary 13, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Have a great Valentine's day...and weekend!

    Susan

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  34. Life on the EdgeFebruary 13, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    That comment that the teen girl had about seeing the sonnet on a Hallmark card was funny. It's cool that you used it in your classes, and made the boys read it! lol Bet they enjoyed the attention the girls gave that!

    I bet you were a great teacher!

    Kady

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  35. Susie HomemakerFebruary 13, 2009 at 8:41 PM

    Happy Valentine's Day to you...

    Warm Wishes,
    Susie

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  36. Lisa CoblerFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    I love that sonnet!

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  37. DorothyFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    Hi Sally,
    I enjoyed this post! Happy Valentine's Day to you! ♥ ♥ ♥

    I wrote a little love poem to Jeep and it should be on my blog in the morning. We're still on our honeymoon, so I'm still into all this mushy stuff;-)

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  38. Cass @ That Old HouseFebruary 13, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    That sonnet -- the product of one of the most remarkable love stories -- is pretty much perfect.

    Thank you for posting it, and reminding me of it.

    Cass

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  39. CarlaFebruary 13, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    Thank you for sharing this today!
    Happy Valentine's day:)

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  40. Four Paws and CoFebruary 14, 2009 at 3:55 AM

    Happy Valentine's Day Sally! ♥ Diane

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  41. JudithFebruary 14, 2009 at 4:43 AM

    Indeed a beautiful poem. Happy Valentines Day to you. love Judith

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  42. ~♥~ Monica SFebruary 14, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    Now that is a good poem!

    Happy Valentines day!

    Monica

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  43. Elizabeth-Plain and SimpleFebruary 14, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    This is one of my favorite poems. Thanks for sharing it and Happy Valentine's Day.

    Blessings,
    Elizabeth

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  44. Susan BFebruary 14, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    I have always loved this sonnet. My nephew was married in a small ceremony the end of December, and I read this at his wedding. It is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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  45. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartFebruary 14, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    Always a favorite poem ~ Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

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Comments make me happy! I enjoy reading what you have to say. Please come back often and comment some more!

Sally