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 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, Sonnets from the Portuguese #43; 1845–1846 and published first during 1850; a collection of 44 love sonnets) While babysitting my granddaughter I heard the above poem on a “Classical Baby” episode – a series of poems brought to live by voice and images. A mother recited this poem to her child being held in her lap. She will love t