Emily Dickinson: Success

This is another one of Dickinson's poems that I really like because of how thought provoking it is and how she paints pictures in my mind with so few words.  
Though none of her original poems were titled, the editor called this one "Success."


Success is counted sweetest 
By those who ne'er succeed. 
To comprehend a nectar 
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory!

As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

What she is saying in this poem is so true.  It is the person that was so close to success and victory and yet ended the day defeated that knows the true definition of success rather than the victorious one.