What is your latest Love Letter?

Question

January 10th, 1845
I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett, -- and this is no off-hand complimentary letter that I shall write, --whatever else, no prompt matter-of-course recognition of your genius and there a graceful and natural end of the thing: since the day last week when I first read your poems, I quite laugh to remember how I have been turning again in my mind what I should be able to tell you of their effect upon me -- for in the first flush of delight I though I would this once get out of my habit of purely passive enjoyment, when I do really enjoy, and thoroughly justify my admiration -- perhaps even, as a loyal fellow-craftsman should, try and find fault and do you some little good to be proud of herafter! -- but nothing comes of it all -- so into me has it gone, and part of me has it become, this great living poetry of yours, not a flower of which but took root and grew ...

... oh, how different that is from lying to be dried and pressed flat and prized highly and put in a book with a proper account at bottom, and shut up and put away ... and the book called a 'Flora', besides! After all, I need not give up the thought of doing that, too, in time; because even now, talking with whoever is worthy, I can give reason for my faith in one and another excellence, the fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thought -- but in this addressing myself to you, your own self, and for the first time, my feeling rises altogether.

I do, as I say, love these Books with all my heart -- and I love you too: do you know I was once seeing you? Mr. Kenyon said to me one morning "would you like to see Miss Barrett?" -- then he went to announce me, -- then he returned ... you were too unwell -- and now it is years ago -- and I feel as at some untorward passage in my travels -- as if I had been close, so close, to some world's-wonder in chapel

on crypt, ... only a screen to push and I might have entered -- but there was some slight ... so it now seems ... slight and just-sufficient bar to admission, and the half-opened door shut, and I went home my thousands of miles, and the sight was never to be!
Well, these Poems were to be -- and this true thankful joy and pride with which I feel myself.

Yours ever faithfully
Robert Browning

Inspired? Written "better" than this? Please share...

Romance can come from words and letters....Robert & Elizabeth did indeed marry, and their romance began by correspondence. Elizabeth was born in 1806, Robert in1812, She was by today's standards, "a cougar" - "Canadian" for older woman/younger man. After sustaining spinal injuries from a fall at age 15, Elizabeth became "infirm" and spent most of her days alone in her room, writing poetry. In 1844, she attracted the attentions of Robert and it was then that their romance blossomed on the pages of letters!

Elizabeth's father did not approve of the courtship, and so in 1846, they married in secret, moving Italy almost at once. It was there that they had one son. Mediterranean weather must have agreed with Elizabeth, and apparently her health improved for the rest of her days there. It was in Italy that she died, at the age of 55, Robert following 18 years later.

The power of the written word is indeed one of our greatest gifts & can soothe our souls (just look at the friends we've all made here, & only in "text" too!).

When my mother died, my daughter & I each wrote her a "love letter" which we placed in the casket to be cremated along with her remains, uniting our thoughts with her for all time. To read & write is a great gift, & I thank those of you who have taken time to write your answers to my question.

Boss - thank you for your witty one liner!
Jedi - somehow Stevie Wonder's song is dancing in my head
Persiphone - & I thought George was all mine :P
CbN - :) here's to "fluff" and more poetry in ways that melt your heart
Hempers - whenever I see stars, cars, bars & mars, I'll think of you. May you always be the awestruck recipient of starry eyes.

Thank you "kids" for making my day a pleasant one with your thoughtful words.

Answer 1

My latest is not actually my own. It was written to my mother by my father back in the early 70s, when their divorce was still more than a decade away.

I felt like a trespasser as I read it, despite the fact that my mother had told me I could read anything in her hope chest.

It is poorly written. My father is Arab, and when he gets emotional, his English goes all to hell. I was able to trace his emotional state as he wrote the letter by noting the increasing misspellings and grammatical goofs. He had betrayed her again, though I do not know in what way. His betrayals were many, both small and large.

The single thing that stood out for me reading that private communication was the fact that he did truly love her, and that he was often bewildered by his own bad behavior. His greatest fear was that he would drive her away. He finally succeeded at it about five years later, though they did not divorce right away.

I treasure that letter, and actually, I think it IS mine. It is a tie to a distant past when my parents still thought they could make it work. A past when my family was intact. A past when I though marriage really was forever.

Would you believe they still love each other deeply? They are the best of friends. I am glad for that.

Answer 2

Going out on a limb, I would say that dear Miss Berrett was the recipient of something even more substantial then a Hallmark Card!

At various moments of impaired judgment I have attempted to convey similiar feelings reaching the heights of inspiration and creativity in the eight grade (rhyming star with car, "as in your better than a car, you are a star"). Though I have attempted to use the same line many times since then, it seems to have lost much of its luster.

Over the years, except for the exceptional Hallmark, love letters have evolved into meaning "love looks" which convey their own personel poetry.

The most recent "love look" that I receievd, just last week informed me that
I've been seen at my best and that is okay.
I have been seen at my worst and that is still okay!

Answer 3

Words of love, though wonderful, are only words. In my life, I've been fortunate enough to know eloquent, romantic people...and yes, I have love letters, written over the years, which I pull out and reread from time to time, in nostalgic phases. They are, in and of themselves, blessings ... memories of passing grace.

Still, as I've grown older (and perhaps, just a small bit wiser), I realize that actions and deeds speak volumes more than words, in testifying love. Words are easy, compared to life. :-) Words show intentions, it is true, but where intent ends and actions begin...in the thousand everyday moments, there is the place where genuine love is shown.

Answer 4

Sheesh. If a guy ever gave me this, I'd crumple it up and throw it in the garbage with one look. It's just too long! As much as I love this sort of mush, I'm way too lazy to read something this long. My advice is to cut out all the lines that are synonymous with others and to use smaller words. Just write down whatever comes to mind. Love letters should be written to express, not impress.

Answer 5

Dear Persi ... Last night was ... breathtaking. With all my love, George Clooney

Answer 6

Let me count the ways.

Answer 7

I'm awaiting - signed , sealed, delivered..