Christina Rosetti

"I loved you first: but afterwards your love" by Christina Rosetti

I loved you first: but afterwards your love
Outsouring mine, sang such a loftier song
As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove.
Which owes the other most?
My love was long,
And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong;
I loved and guessed at you, you construed me
And loved me for what might or might not be
Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong.
For verily love knows not 'mine' or 'thine;'
With separate 'I' and 'thou' free love has done,
For one is both and both are one in love:
Rich love knows nought of 'thine that is not mine;'
Both have the strength and both the length thereof,
Both of us, of the love which makes us one.

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About to head out for a Valentine's dinner on Beech Rd with my husband. Staying local, just how I like it these days!

I put this poem in my husband's card today. Christina Rosetti only came into our lives this past week but we are smitten.

First we heard one of her poems in the film Hugo on Saturday. Then again at the funeral on Monday. Apparently she was one of my husband's Grandma's favourites. I can see why. She's such a wonderful discovery....

Happy Valentine's all!