Valentine's Love...Monday

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 with a 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.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning