My Soul Can Reach

My Soul Can Reach
Copyright 2012 Addie Hirschten
Oil on Canvas
 18" x 36"

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. 

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I can best describe *love* as this...

When I am with one of those few people I love I am a peace.  My restlessness ends.  I don't need to check my phone or pine for something else.  I feel complete.  I feel accepted.  Nothing is better than lifting them up those individuals.  Nothing is better than being in their arms.

I've realized that it doesn't matter how many Rembrandts I have,
how many Duesenbergs, 
if I don't have someone to share it with 
then I might as well be back in Liverpool broke.
-Daddy Warbucks

Happy Valentine's Day!