Speaker
This poem offers no identifying information about its speaker—we don't know their name, age, gender, or even where they live, although Emily Dickinson did frequently write poetry about the natural surroundings near her Massachusetts home. Instead, we know that the speaker is someone seeking out a gift for a friend or loved one. The care with which they select this present reveals the closeness of this relationship, as well as the speaker's own tenderness. Meanwhile, the speaker's choice of gift sheds light on their worldview. Unimpressed by expensive, flashy items from faraway places, the speaker instead focuses on a flower, using figurative language that makes it sound precious and new. Through these descriptions, it becomes clear that the speaker is someone with a passion and a sensuous, observant appreciation for the natural world.
The Addressee
If we know little about the speaker, we know even less about the person to whom this poem is addressed—that is, the recipient of the speaker's gift. In fact, even the specific nature of the speaker's relationship to the addressee is ambiguous: they might be friends, family, or lovers. In any case, it is clear that they are close. The speaker notes that the addressee already owns jewels, and suggests that they, too, will be unimpressed by expensive presents, hinting that this person is somewhat wealthy and also perhaps a fellow lover of the natural world.
