A Man's Requirements

So, today’s poem of the day was really beautiful and touching to me.  I don’t think I’ve ever read it before, some how.  I especially liked stanzas 10 and 11.  
Well, I’m off today to pick up a package from our school librarian.  I’m going to make American style spaghetti for my host sisters.  I’m sure they’ll complain about it because the only times they haven’t complained about my cooking was when I cooked chocolate pudding cake (because really, what teenage girls complain about chocolate?) and last night, I cooked a very Bulgo meal:  Kremvishi w/ kashkaval, and soup from a packet.  But, this is their vacation with their American sisters, and for the love of God, they’ll learn about my Americanness.  
Anyway, these are a man’s requirements, according to me and Elizabeth…
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
A Man's Requirements


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.