Monday, March 23, 2015

An Incongruous Mermaid***



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

 Emily Dickinson, c. 1862


***I posted this years ago, and I just love it so I'm posting it again.
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8 comments:

  1. Ms. MoonMarch 23, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    And well worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TheresaMarch 24, 2015 at 2:12 AM

    Incredible. I miss poetry, thanks for bringing me back to it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Steve ReedMarch 24, 2015 at 4:29 AM

    I love it too! I had forgotten that as the source of the title of Kate Atkins's novel "Started Early, Took My Dog."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kenneth LillyMarch 24, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Still trying to figure out what incongruous means...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Denise Emanuel ClemenMarch 24, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    I adore that poem. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LeslieMarch 27, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    I've never read this one! Thank you for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete