How do I love thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
source: un bella vita, weheartit, dreameveryday, misswallflower

I am trying to learn poetry by heart, and my current project is this by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. When I first read it, I didn't like it. I don't know if it was because I thought it was pretentious, or whether I disliked the reference to death, or whether I just didn't understand it at all, but now I can easily say it is one of my favorites. I stumble over the end when reciting it, but nearly there!