This version of the text is how it appears in Emily Dickinson’s “Open Me Carefully”, a collection of letters documenting the correspondence between Emily and her sister-in-law, neighbor, and emotional companion Susan Huntington Dickinson.
Version One
Dear Sue –
Your – Riches –
taught me – poverty!
Myself, a “Millionaire”
In little – wealths – as
Girls can boast –
Til 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 –
my self –
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” –
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 –
thro’
While yet – a Girl –
at School!
Dear Sue –
You see I remember –
Emily.
