Dickinson, Emily: I started Early – Took my Dog – (656)

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 —