Another of my favorite poets is Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
She has the distinction of being a literary discovery of mine which was outside the classroom. Having encountered her work in the town library of Hanahan, South Carolina during one of my innumerable childhood visits I would read and wonder about the words and what they meant.
I noticed that she had a definitive religious influence in many of her pieces. She also displayed a distinctive penchant for profoundly tender, passionate affection and I think this is what I found most attractive about her writing.
Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett
aka Elizabeth Barrett Browning
March 6, 1806 – June 29, 1861
Prominent poet of the Victorian era. Her poetry was popular in both the United States and Great Britain during her lifetime.
A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death.
Sonnet XLIII
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 candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
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
Tags: Observances, People