I started Early — Took my Dog —

Emily Dickinson, 1862

I started Early — Took my Dog —
And visited the Sea —
The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me —

And Frigates — in the Upper Floor
Extended Hempen Hands –
Presuming Me to be a Mouse –
Aground — opon the Sands –

But no Man moved Me — till the Tide
Went past my simple Shoe –
And past my Apron — and my Belt
And past my Boddice — too —

And made as He would eat me up —
As wholly as a Dew
Opon a Dandelion’s Sleeve —
And then — I started – too —

And He — He followed — close behind –
I felt His Silver Heel
Opon my Ancle — Then My Shoes
Would overflow with Pearl —

Until We met the Solid Town –
No One He seemed to know –
And bowing — with a Mighty look –
At me — The Sea withdrew –

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