SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE 43: HOW DO I LOVE THEE?
Author: 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 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.

 

THERE IS A LADY SWEET AND KIND
Author: Thomas Ford

There is a lady sweet and kind,
Was never a face so pleased my mind;
I did but see her passing by,
And yet I'll love her till I die.

Her gesture, motion, and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice my heart beguiles,
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet I'll love her till I die.

Cupid is winged and he doth range,
Her country, so, my love doth change:
But change she earth, or change she sky,
Yet, I will love her till I die.

 

TO MY DEAR AND LOVING HUSBAND
Author: Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more that whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

 

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
Author: Christina Rosetti

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Author: G. K. Chesterton

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s breast
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world’s desire.)

The Christ-child stood on Mary’s knee,
His hair was like a crown,
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

 

CHRISTMASTIDE
Author: Christina Rosetti

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

 

A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON
Author: Unknown

Give me a kiss to build a dream on,
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss.
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on.
...oOo...
Give me a kiss before you leave me,
And my imagination will feed my hungry heart.
Leave me one thing before we part
A kiss to build a dream on.
...oOo...
When I'm alone with my fancies...I'll be with you
Weaving romances...making believe they're true.
...oOo...
Give me your lips for just a moment,
And my imagination will make that moment live.
Give me what you alone can give,
A kiss to build a dream on.

 

A MOTHER'S PRAYER
Author: Unknown

Dear Lord, it’s such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life’s been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom -
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week’s mail to read –
So where’s the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one’s face,
That you have blessed me
All the while –
And I stoop to kiss
That precious smile.

 

A THANKSGIVING POEM
Author: Robert Frost

God, we thank you for this food
For rest and home and all things good
For wind and rain and sun above
But most of all for those we love

 

AS TIME GOES BY
Author: UnKnown

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is still just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.
+++|+++
And when two lovers woo,
They still say: "I love you."
On that you can rely.
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.
+++|+++
Moonlight and love songs - never out of date
Hearts full of passion - jealousy and hate
Woman needs man - and man must have his mate
That no one can deny.
+++|+++
It's still the same old story,
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

 

DEAR DADDY
Author: Unknown

In all the things I try to do,
I want to do them just like you.
I'm watching every move you make
And trying to take each step you take.
------!!!------
Although right now I'm sort of small,
When I'm with you I feel ten feet tall.
Like you, I want to be brave and smart,
'Cause I love you, Daddy with all my heart.
------!!!------
When I am older I'll be so glad
If I grow up to be
Just like Dad.