I've been reading the complete works of Emily Dickinson, and finding gems along the way. Here's one that makes me think of "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed." It explores the idea that not having what we want may have its own pleasures. The "banquet of abstemiousness" is not one appreciated much in modern society, but I think Emily's onto something here.
Desire
Emily Dickinson
Who never wanted, - maddest joy
Remains to him unknown:
The banquet of abstemiousness
Surpasses that of wine.
Within its hope, though yet ungrasped
Desire's perfect goal,
No nearer, lest reality
Should disenthral thy soul.
Here's today's Poetry Friday roundup.
4 hours ago
6 comments:
Only eight short lines -- but they say it all about daring to hope, daring to wish.
She was years ahead in "wanting only what I have" as a form of gratitude.
And one of my first thoughts is how do we teach it? To strive for something is a pleasure too!
You are right...Emily was onto something - often, ahead of her time, and always with efficiency of prose.
You can never go wrong reading Dickinson! Thanks for sharing this poem. It struck a chord of familiarity.
I love the part about reality disenthralling my soul. Reality has a way of doing that!
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