Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, YOUR RICHES TAUGHT ME POVERTY, by EMILY DICKINSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

YOUR RICHES TAUGHT ME POVERTY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
Last Line: While just a girl at school
Subject(s): Nostalgia; Childhood Memories; School


Your Riches - taught me - Poverty.
Myself - a Millionaire
In little Wealths, as Girls could 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'm sure it is Golconda -
Beyond my power to deem -
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
Its distance - to behold -

Its far - far Treasure to surmise -
And estimate the Pearl -
That slipped my simple fingers through -
While just a Girl at School





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