V

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880
Part of A Woman's Shortcomings

Unless you can muse in a crowd all day,

      On the absent face that fixed you;

Unless you can love, as the angels may,

      With the breadth of heaven betwixt you;

Unless you can dream that his faith is fast,

      Through behoving and unbehoving;

Unless you can die when the dream is past—

      Oh, never call it loving!

#elizabeth barrett browning #impossible love #longing #melancholy #spiritual love #unrequited love

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