A Long-Lost Ode to Office Romance

Who says office romance is dead?? In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Work It’s archivists are proud to present this little-known early draft of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s How Do I Love Thee? (For My Work Crush). Share it with that special pant-suited someone, and give the nosy office gossip something to talk about.

How Do I Love Thee? (For My Work Crush)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My hand can reach when feeling ‘round my cubicle

For the other end of the printer cable.

I love thee to the level of every lunch break’s

Most quiet need, by sun and fluorescent light.

I love thee freely, as CEOs strive for profit;

I love thee purely, as they turn from corrupt practices.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my college days, and with my early-career idealism.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost opportunities for advancement – I love thee with the blood,

Sweat, and tears of all my projects! –

And, if the boss choose,

I shall but love thee better after I’m laid off.

And relive Episode 1 in its entirety here.

Happy Valentine’s Day!