Read “I Started Early — Took My Dog,” a wonderful, somewhat enigmatic poem by the great Emily Dickinson. Write a response essay with at least 300 words of your own writing.

Read “I Started Early — Took My Dog,” a wonderful, somewhat enigmatic poem by the great Emily Dickinson.

Write a response essay with at least 300 words of your own writing.

Put the word count at the top of your submission. Also respond to a few of your fellow students.

Here’s the poem:

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 –

This may perhaps be an interesting question (or maybe not): What happened to the dog?

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