I Started Early – Took My Dog
I Started Early – Took My Dog - meaning Summary
Childlike Meeting with the Sea
The poem narrates a brief seaside excursion in which the speaker and her dog encounter the sea as an active, anthropomorphic presence. Marine creatures and ships observe her, then the tide advances over shoes, apron, belt and bodice, engulfing her like a living thing. The speaker experiences both alarm and a curious surrender as the tide "eats" her; later the sea follows, leaves pearls in her shoes, then withdraws with a deferential bow. The poem explores the fragile boundary between human and natural forces and a mix of fear, fascination and self-awareness.
Read Complete AnalysesI 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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