she spoke of love

XIV

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
I love her for her smile--her look--her way
Of speaking gently,--for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of ease on such a day--
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may
Be changed, or change for thee,--and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheek dry,--
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity.

-Elizazbeth Barrett Browning

i wonder what she was like.
her poems strike a resonance of truth.
she writes about deep and abiding love.
"I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light."
that line takes my breath away.