April is National Poetry Month! Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Modern Declaration"

By god, it's April 3rd and I haven't brought out Millay yet. What's wrong with me?

Edna St. Vincent Millay, my favorite poet in all the world. All the world.


Modern Declaration

I, having loved ever since I was a child a few things, never having wavered
In these affections; never through shyness in the houses of the rich or in the presence of clergymen having denied these loves;
Never when worked upon by cynics like chiropractors having grunted or clicked a vertebra to the discredit of these loves;
Never when anxious to land a job having diminished them by a conniving smile; or when befuddled by drink
Jeered at them through heartache or lazily fondled the fingers of their alert enemies; declare

That I shall love you always.
No matter what party is in power;
No matter what temporarily expedient combination of allied interests wins the war;
Shall love you always.