Sonnets For My Love

Posted on May 20, 2020 by TanGental

Over the years of knowing the Textiliste and the 36 years married I’ve written a few poems to that love. Here are two sonnets, the first based on the Elizabeth Barrett Browning classic

How Do I Love You?

(Sonnets From The Portuguese XLIII, Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

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

I love you when the mundane morning chorus

Of the prattling radio wakes us

And you mine the duvet like it’s the End of Days.

I love you when you leave me at the station

To walk home in the rain, dripping clothes and oaths.

I love you for understanding what no one else knows

In my silences and wordless impatience.

I love you for laughing at oft-told stories

Never querying my many variations.

I love you for ignoring my aberrations

And allowing me my unworthy glories.

And if grief comes to me, dripping slow

I will love you more than you will ever know.

The Hand That Guides

Your consoling hand sits light on my sleeve,

A confident tap to release me on four;

We set sail, in step, gliding with ease

Past blind spots and missteps strewn on the floor.

I fumble to catch that elusive toe-tap

Which, if I could, would allow me my head.

You remind me, by way of a quick finger snap,

Of the dangers where taking that path might lead.

I continually try to do it my way,

To give into weakness of flesh and of soul

But you hold my love tight; I cannot stray

And we remain linked; two parts of one whole.

May it always be thus as we gib and we tack;

Both looking forward, your hand at my back.

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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32 Responses to Sonnets For My Love

  1. Ritu says:
    May 20, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    Filled with love and laughter. Just how a partnership should be 🥰

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Becky Ross Michael says:
    May 20, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    These are lovely thoughts, so perfectly expressed!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Darlene says:
    May 20, 2020 at 1:37 pm

    Like your father, you are able to voice your love and admiration through poetry. These are both wonderful. xo

    Liked by 1 person

  4. derrickjknight says:
    May 20, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Love and laughter indeed

    Liked by 1 person

  5. robertawrites235681907 says:
    May 20, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    You are such an incurable romantic, Geoff.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. thecontentedcrafter says:
    May 20, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    Awww! Squeezie feelings to go with morning coffee – thank you ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  7. JT Twissel says:
    May 20, 2020 at 11:52 pm

    Lovely Geoff! I love the jib and tack feel. Modern love!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. arlingwoman says:
    May 21, 2020 at 1:57 am

    I love these. A tribute to the glories of true love: the glory of true love/is it will last your whole life through/never will go out of fashion/always will look good on you.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Pam Lazos says:
    May 21, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Wow, really lovely, Geoff. Your wife must live that you write her poetry!🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Elizabeth says:
    May 21, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    You manage to be both romantic and witty, a rare combination. I love the way you capture the way we keep each other out of serious trouble in a marriage. It is certainly true in ours.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Widdershins says:
    May 22, 2020 at 4:24 am

    ‘…Both looking forward, your hand at my back…’ … perfect. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. willowdot21 says:
    May 22, 2020 at 7:25 am

    Seriously Geoff these are so beautiful. 💜 Like your Dad , you grow and that’s perfect 💜.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. roughwighting says:
    May 22, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Shivers up and down. GORGEOUS to-the-point heartfelt love poetry. Well done! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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