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 ti;; 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
And wholly as a dew
Upon a dandelion's sleeve-
And then I started too.

And he-he followed close behind;
I felt his sliver heel
Upon my ankle-then my shoe
Would overflow with pearl.

Until we met the solid town,
No one seemed to know-
And bowing me with a mighty look
At me, the sea withdrew

- Emily Dickinson