I started Early – Took my Dog -

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 – upon the Sands -

But no Man moved Me – till the Tide
Went past my simply Shoe -
And past my Apron – and my belt
And past my Bodice – too -

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

And He – He followed – close behind -
I felt His Silver Heel
Upon my Ankle – 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 -

Emily Dickinson, ‘I started Early – Took my Dog’ (c.1862)