No matter — now — Sweet —
But when I’m Earl —
Won’t you wish you’d spoken
To that dull Girl?
Trivial a Word — just —
Trivial — a Smile —
But won’t you wish you’d spared one
When I’m Earl?
I shan’t need it — then —
Crests — will do —
Eagles on my Buckles —
On my Belt — too —
Ermine — my familiar Gown —
Say — Sweet — then
Won’t you wish you’d smiled — just —
Me upon?
I am a Sophmore in High School, and had to do a critique on one of Emily Dickinson’s poems. I find this one truly symbolic. Its as if she’s saying,You might not pay attention to me now and you might not shed a kind word about me– But when i become something great, you will wish you had.