Your Riches Taught Me Poverty
By Emily Dickinson
Your – Riches – taught me – poverty!
Myself, a “Millionaire”
In little – wealths – as Girls can boast –
Till broad as “Buenos Ayre” –
You drifted your Dominions –
A Different – Peru –
And I esteemed – all – poverty –
For Life’s Estate – with you!
Of “Mines” – I little know – myself –
But just the names – of Gems –
The Colors – of the Commonest –
And scarce of Diadems –
So much – that did I meet the Queen –
Her glory – I should know –
But this – must be a different wealth –
To miss it – beggars – so!
I’m sure ’tis “India” – all day –
To those who look on you –
Without a stint – without a blame –
Might I – but be the Jew!
I know it is “Golconda” –
Beyond my power to dream –
To have a smile – for mine – each day –
How better – than a Gem!
At least – it solaces – to know –
That there exists – a Gold –
Altho’ I prove it, just in time –
It’s distance – to behold!
It’s far – far – Treasure – to surmise –
And estimate – the Pearl –
That slipped – my simple fingers – thro’
While yet – a Girl – at school!
