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HOW, indeed?

"How do I love thee?"  Well, I shall not parrot
The high-flown sentiments of Lizzie Barrett
(Browning, I mean!) in some ecstatic hymn.
If love were gold, mine would be but nine-carat!
If love were milk, mine would be semi-skim!

How do I love you? It is plain libido!
When I saw you sunbathing at the Lido
My passion leapt (but not my Muse, I fear!)

But who wants words? I'd rather do the deed! So,

Stop chattering and come to bed, my dear!

Author notes


I hardly think a note is necessary to identify the quotation - from the opening line of one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's best known sonnets.:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 25 of 25
  • Poetryintheblood gold member
    October 27
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    Thank you for your delightful write, good luck in my contest, Josie


  • AngelBellerose gold member
    October 24

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    awesome job beautiful and well written loved the message and the way you penned this,, thank you for sharing you words in pen hugs Angel♥


  • Sheilasbabygal4life
    October 16

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    This was a nicely written piece you have here. I enjoyed reading this. Keep up the good work. Thank you for entering and best of luck too you in tha contest.


  • Maldronah
    August 19

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    I find your ditty quite delightful;
    mature, precise and so insightful.
    I'm pleased you did not parrot Barrett
    but, like the rabbit , found the carrot.


  • Keith
    August 16
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    How do I love thee? said Ms Browning (Liz)
    I love your wanton words! They're filled with fizz
    And when I loiter on the Lido, later
    I'll mind ma back, for I'm a careful cratur!
    I'll leave my kilt behind me, in the press
    For I've seen Death in Venice, and I stress
    That love 'twixt males is much too much for me
    (While I prefer full cream milk, in ma tea!)
    I love this verse. It sets this match afire
    With wicked words, and tongue-in-cheek desire
    How will I judge this contest, now I see
    Such contrasts in the verses penned for me?

    Thanks. Best Wishes.


  • The Slant
    August 8

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    this is really funny. the form really adds to the element of humor. the only part i didn't like was "do the deed." it seemed really awkward. but great write. very creative.

  • Seasinger gold member
    August 7

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    This one has entered the lists (in the jousting sense) so often!
    I'm commenting on it in the context of Ecrivain's contest to celebrate Robert Browning. I like it. It's clever. Form and rhyme excellent. The voice and sentiment remind me of Byron rather than of Browning. If only he had lived a century later, this one would surely take a trophy if someone held a contest celebrating Gordon George, Lord B in rhyme!

  • Poetryintheblood gold member
    February 13
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for your entry, Josie

  • Poetryintheblood gold member
    February 7
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for your parody, and I would have to agree that these days the deed is what comes into love the most, or so it seems where it concerns me anyway, not meaning to sound somewhat bitchy or such just the way I come off to men I suppose, good luck in my contest, Josie

  • Judith Chandler
    May 18, 2008
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    I forgot to applaud

  • Judith Chandler
    May 18, 2008
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    I forgot to applaud.

  • Judith Chandler
    May 18, 2008

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    I like the distinction between your passion and your muse and your author's note about the use of "thee" is interesting. Personally, I always find the use of "thee" in old novels rather touching.


  • NeonRose
    May 11, 2008
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    "* This is cute and funny and clever!

  • ecrivain01
    May 8, 2008

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    You can use the "thee" ...

    in a quote. I just don't want poems using archaic pronouns since they normally are not used correctly, and I dislike them anyway. It wouldn't be so bad if the pronouns were used with the proper verb forms, although I still wouldn't care for it. However, most of the time, the verbs are wrong, and often the pronouns are used incorrectly as well.

    If you noticed my comment at the top of the page you may realize that I am getting a number of substandard entries. In most cases, the worse the poems, the more arrogant and defensive the poet, and I don't feel up to bothering with that type of nonsense.

    Billy Collins wrote a poem saying almost exactly the same thing as this one called "Sonnet". It wasn't a bad poem, but he was trying to make fun of rhymed poems. I like yours better.


  • sapphireangelwings
    April 24, 2008

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    Oh my! I had to go back and read it twice it was just so darn funny.....it flows well, the rythming is spot on ( which in this case was a def challenge ) and I love pieces that make me chuckle. Great job and good luck!


  • im only half empty
    January 28, 2008

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    A sweet passionate poem. The rhymning does not feel forced and it has a great flow to it. Great job!


  • whiterabbit.
    December 4, 2007

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    I like the humor in this piece. It's enjoyable to read. I like the phrases you used. Thanks for entering.


  • myrataal silver member
    September 10, 2007

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    Ah!

    The comic side of the Lady Vera! How precious!

    Brilliant.

    Love.

    Myra


  • poeticweaver gold member
    September 4, 2007

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    Nice,

    Clever within comic pieces of passion and romance. I like how you wrote this little diddy, and I appreciate you sharing here. Much love and light! And all the best within this contest! Peace, Timothy


  • Kiran silver member
    September 3, 2007

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    A brilliant poem, humourous and so well written. This had me captivated. A poem with great vivid imagery!


  • ennovy silver member
    August 31, 2007

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    Subtle yet; Brazen Emotions

    This has a bit of humor and its direct to the point. I had a vivid picture of each line and you done it so well. I shall be back to vist your skilled talents again. LOVED IT..........ennovy

  • Keith
    August 27, 2007

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    Let me count the ways (use of calculators is forbidden)

    The rhyme between Lido, libido and deed so is one I envy greatly. Not many Lidos left around these parts, I fear, but long live libidinous verse!


  • MargaretG
    August 26, 2007

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    chuckles

    No deathless sentiments, but lukewarm, transient, very human - these are in the moment!
    I enjoyed this very much. Lovely rhyming. Best of luck!


  • Melodies
    August 25, 2007

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    Nicely done and so fine!

    A leap into pleasure is this fine poem! Fun to read and imagine and made me smile, most truly!


  • FallingTwilight
    August 25, 2007
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    Lol, cute! Nice job on this! Best of luck in the contest!

    xKaitlynx

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