Poem # 112
by Emily Dickinson
This poem immediately spoke to me the first time I read it, so much so that I took a picture of it with my phone camera and posted it on Facebook for everyone to know that I found a poem I LIKE. It gives me comfort in working towards my goals to know that those who are already successful don’t know what they really have. It makes the unsuccessful, yet hard-working people seem more humble in knowing the true value of something. There should be a stanza about dating in there somewhere!
Orion Petitclerc
Age 21, Full-time student
San José
Poem #112
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated – dying –
On whose forbidden ear
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Blog 