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Years ago when I was a little girl my Dad had a small book entitled, "SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. One night I overheard him reading one of the poems to my Mom. You may know this sonnet from the very first line "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." I never forgot how lovely it sounded. Recently I began to explore the relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Browning, the object of her beautiful poetry. The story is incredibly romantic...forbidden love, Elizabeth an invalid, hundreds of love letters exchanged and a love of both their hearts and their minds. I tried to imagine that kind of love--all consuming and complete--the kind that would exist between soulmates and just how Elizabeth felt about her beloved. Hence the inspiration for this poem, written from Elizabeth's point of view about how deeply his love affected her, as he conveyed with words and in the way he looked at her.
ODE TO ROBERT BROWNING
I read your words…In them I heard, a music so replete
The threads of my core came undone, unraveled at my feet.
Like the petals of a rose, my heart
was rendered open …and felt a sweet repose.
Your thoughts so deep that they did forge a path down to my soul.
My eyes were made to weep, each tear to make me whole.
A door thrust open, a stab unto my gloom. And light was shone upon me…
Bursting forth—a beacon’s flame…a better world was shown me.
Your presence was so hard to miss, your countenance so strong
Your spirit filled my soul with bliss and mine was swept along.
And when we met my heart did know that thou was not a stranger
And only saw safe harbor, a haven from all danger.
In eyes filled to the brink, a font
to make me drink, and taste of lasting peace--
a loving cup, from which I supped and found such sweet release.
I shall not ever glance away from beauty’s promise written on a page,
the words but wrought of gilded ink, and woven by a mage.
Nor love so tenderly expressed, so sweetly blessed in but a glance
To bid me hear your spirit’s song and join in your soul’s dance.
Hugs,
Pegasus
ODE TO ROBERT BROWNING
I read your words…In them I heard, a music so replete
The threads of my core came undone, unraveled at my feet.
Like the petals of a rose, my heart
was rendered open …and felt a sweet repose.
Your thoughts so deep that they did forge a path down to my soul.
My eyes were made to weep, each tear to make me whole.
A door thrust open, a stab unto my gloom. And light was shone upon me…
Bursting forth—a beacon’s flame…a better world was shown me.
Your presence was so hard to miss, your countenance so strong
Your spirit filled my soul with bliss and mine was swept along.
And when we met my heart did know that thou was not a stranger
And only saw safe harbor, a haven from all danger.
In eyes filled to the brink, a font
to make me drink, and taste of lasting peace--
a loving cup, from which I supped and found such sweet release.
I shall not ever glance away from beauty’s promise written on a page,
the words but wrought of gilded ink, and woven by a mage.
Nor love so tenderly expressed, so sweetly blessed in but a glance
To bid me hear your spirit’s song and join in your soul’s dance.
Hugs,
Pegasus
Last edited by Pegasus on Sun May 29, 2011 3:37 pm; edited 3 times in total
