And this of all my Hopes — Rose-Grub

Rose-grubs, worms bored at roots of roses, invaded Dickinson's garden. They ruined roses like detestable men ruined her poems.

And this of all my Hopes ¹
This, is the silent end
Bountiful colored, my Morning rose
Early and sere, its end

Never Bud from a Stem ⁵
Stepped with so gay a Foot
Never a Worm so confident
Bored at so brave a Root

(F.975/J.913)

[1] this, my Hopes:: her poetry is all her hopes.
[2] silent end:: without publication.
[3] Morning rose:: something fresh and beautiful, a poem.
[4] its end:: result of her poetry.
[5] Bud:: something will bloom, a riddle poem to be discovered. Stem:: branch of a family with same writing style.
[6] Foot:: a combination of syllables.
[7] Worm:: a person regarded as despised, contemptible.
[8] Root:: the origin of her poetry.

There is also the rose grub to be guarded against. It is something like a very short brown caterpillar; he eats into the young and succulent shoot, and must be carefully sought for. ─ The Rose-amateur's Guide (1863)