Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Success" is a poem by Emily Dickinson, an American poet who lived from 1830 to 1886. 

The poem was first published posthumously in 1891.The poem explores the idea that those who have never experienced success are the ones who truly appreciate it. The first stanza suggests that in order to truly understand and appreciate success, one must experience failure or a strong desire for it. The second stanza compares the experiences of the victorious and the defeated, and suggests that the defeated may actually have a clearer understanding of what victory truly means, as they hear the sounds of triumph from a distance but cannot taste it themselves.

The poem is often interpreted as a commentary on the nature of ambition and the human desire for success. It suggests that those who are obsessed with achieving success may never fully appreciate it, while those who have experienced failure or longing for success may have a greater appreciation for it.