How Do I Love Thee?

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 everyday'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.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

[My absolute favorite poem...

I love the lines "I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. "

Brings tears to my eyes...it's such beautiful poem]