How shall I thank you? Let me count the ways
And though the styles of hearty gratitude
Are various, do forgive my attitude
If I, in shaky verse, should pen my praise
And yet, what words can I employ to phrase
The tale of one whose lofty habitude
Is self-denial, rendered for the good
Of many that they may have better days…
O lamp of generations, let your grace
Your boundless bounty be our guiding light
Upon life’s path, and if we can’t requite
Your excellence, let us at least embrace
Your sacrifice and follow faithfully:
To give, to give, and give abundantly.
Beirut
February 22nd 1995
I notice the poem was apparently written years before it was posted on PH. Lucky PH! I read Samer's PH bio with interest. I give five stars. *****
Bharati Nayak, PH member, mentioned this i PH's Notifications and there I read the first few lines and was drawn to the poem.
'Borrowing some words from one of Ms. Browning's poem is more like a memorial than a stealing. Ha ha. I'm sure I'd be glad to have people borrow SOME of my words. bri : )
'Elizabeth Barrett Browning (née Moulton-Barrett; 6 March 1806 - 29 June 1861' RIP 'Quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I lo...' '
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
The rhyme scheme was accomplished magnificently. I wouldn't recognize a sonnet, however even if I tripped on one! : ) Re the biography, I wonder if Samer 'hunts' birds with gun OR binoculars, or both.