I have been researching Kate Atkinson to write a biography about her. One of her books is titled “Started Early, Took My Dog” after the Emily Dickinson poem. The poem is an interesting poem from a poet who experimented with the existing definitions of poetry and explored what a poet’s work really was. Emily Dickinson challenged conventions in many ways and played with expression in order to free it from conventional restraints.
I started Early – Took my Dog
BY 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 – opon 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 Boddice – too –
And made as He would eat me up –
As wholly as a Dew
Opon a Dandelion’s Sleeve –
And then – I started – too –
And He – He followed – close behind –
I felt His Silver Heel
Opon my Ancle – 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 –