Poem response #2

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.

I like how the author used the 3 words “I love thee” In almost every sentence. She definitely used a lot of metaphors and similes, for example “I love thee freely, as men strive for right” I like how she described her passion through many, in depth ways. In the beginning of the poem, she starts of by saying “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” all she uses is some simple word play to really grab the readers attention. You notice some exact rhymes throughout the poem including, height and sight, light and right, lose and choose, all in different patterns. The author really expresses the light between her love and the other person. I think shes trying to express how pure their love is, by comparing it to the sun, or even a bright candle light. At the end of the poem, she explains that in the afterlife, all will be easier. Their love will go on forever, he will be happier, she will be happier. Everything in the past will be forgotten, including their mistakes.