I Do Not Love Thee
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton. 1808–1876
I DO not love thee!—no! I do not love thee!
And yet when thou art absent I am sad;
And envy even the bright blue sky above thee,
Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad.
I do not love thee!—yet, I know not why,
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Whate'er thou dost seems still well done, to me:
And often in my solitude I sigh
That those I do love are not more like thee!
I do not love thee!—yet, when thou art gone,
I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear)
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Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone
Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear.
I do not love thee!—yet thy speaking eyes,
With their deep, bright, and most expressive blue,
Between me and the midnight heaven arise,
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Oftener than any eyes I ever knew.
I know I do not love thee! yet, alas!
Others will scarcely trust my candid heart;
And oft I catch them smiling as they pass,
Because they see me gazing where thou art.
“I Do Not Love Thee” is a perfect example of poetry dealing with a strained relationship. All relationships have their ups and downs; however, no matter how badly one party in the relationship has been treated or hurt, he will often find himself clinging to the other person for some unknown reason. Norton repeatedly states how she does not love whoever the subject of this poem is, but she continuously states characteristics she misses about this person and how lonely she feels without him. For some reason, many people tend to hold on to what they are familiar and comfortable with. This poem reminded me of the women in Connections for Life, as well as the people they have relationships with. Many of these women told us that they would love to be with their old friends, but they are well aware of the danger a return would pose. This poem could also relate to past substance abuse. An addict knows what he is doing is bad (does not love drugs), but cannot kick the habbit and misses the feeling and good times while on drugs.
