I started Early — Took my Dog

Emily Dickinson· 1830 – 1886· American· 1862

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I started Early — Took my Dog

Emily Dickinson

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 simple 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 —

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Written c. 1862. Published 1891.

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I started Early — Took my Dog