A Man's Requirements

Remember this beautiful poem "A Man's Requirements" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning? My very impression of this poem is that it must have been written by a man, but later realized that it was written by a woman... what an irony. Pardon me for not making the effort to read, understand and find out more about this poem.

Until one day.. I showed it to one of my friends who with the slightest ease, enlightened me and pointed out to me the "twist" and sarcasm presented in the very last stanza.

Always respect those who enjoy, appreciate and understand good poems.. may I present this poem to all who appreciates it:)

Saw this analysis posted by someone in the Internet: The ironic wit evident in the final stanza cannot just be dismissed, without any discussion whatsoever. It is the point of the poem. The love described is certainly beautiful but only made more effective by the sarcastic, playfully scornful comment in the final four lines.

A Man's Requirements
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I
Love me Sweet, with all thou art,
Feeling, thinking, seeing;
Love me in the lightest part,
Love me in full being.

II
Love me with thine open youth
In its frank surrender;
With the vowing of thy mouth,
With its silence tender.

III
Love me with thine azure eyes,
Made for earnest grantings;
Taking colour from the skies,
Can Heaven's truth be wanting?

IV
Love me with their lids, that fall
Snow-like at first meeting;
Love me with thine heart, that all
Neighbours then see beating.

V
Love me with thine hand stretched out
Freely -- open-minded:
Love me with thy loitering foot, --
Hearing one behind it.

VI
Love me with thy voice, that turns
Sudden faint above me;
Love me with thy blush that burns
When I murmur 'Love me!'

VII
Love me with thy thinking soul,
Break it to love-sighing;
Love me with thy thoughts that roll
On through living -- dying.

VIII
Love me in thy gorgeous airs,
When the world has crowned thee;
Love me, kneeling at thy prayers,
With the angels round thee.

IX
Love me pure, as muses do,
Up the woodlands shady:
Love me gaily, fast and true,
As a winsome lady.

X
Through all hopes that keep us brave,
Farther off or nigher,
Love me for the house and grave,
And for something higher.

XI
Thus, if thou wilt prove me, Dear,
Woman's love no fable,
I will love thee -- half a year --
As a man is able.

Tribute to My Beloved Wife (2)

Hey Dear,

Tributes continue to pour in. Next, I'm going to share with you another poem which you will definitely like. Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare. With the help of Huibin, we have chosen it to be published in the papers in your memory. Both of us think that you will like this elegant poem. I must admit that it took me a few tries to read this thoroughly in order to grasp its meaning! I'm sure you can do it in a second *wink*.

I present to you my dear wife, Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare:

Tribute to My Beloved Wife (1)

Hey Dear,
One year has passed. The pain still lingers. I have gotten you this small bouquet of roses. Three stalks, signifying "I MISS YOU". I still miss you loads.. this is actually an understatement. You know what I mean.

The other day I was thinking of writing a tribute to you in English. In the end, I decided to do it in Chinese instead, for obvious reasons. Still, I would think that I should quote some meaningful verses in your memory. After looking through lots of verses, poems and quotes in the internet, I came across this quote by David Harkins. It hits me instantly; he described my feelings in an uncanny manner that sends chills down my spine.

Coincidentally, after I had chosen this quote which I shared with your sister Huibin, she was surprised that I like this quote as well. She had posted it in her blog in your memory before! Coincidence no. 1. Then, a couple of days later, a good friend of mine sent me this same quote again! Coincidence no. 2! Great minds think alike..

Dear I present to you:

“You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

~David Harkins