I think I should have loved you presently, and given you in earnest words I flung in jest

I think I should have loved you presently, and given you in earnest words I flung in jest

Edna St. Vincent Millay was a poet known for her passionate and often unapologetic exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. In her poem "Sonnet XLIII," she writes, "I think I should have loved you presently, and given you in earnest words I flung in jest." These lines encapsulate the conflicting emotions and regrets that often accompany love and the realization that one may have missed an opportunity to truly express their feelings.