I Started Early, Took My Dog

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 -

   Note the dashes (-). Many literary critics feel that these are legitamate uses of the language. Others feel that they were unintentional marks made by her fountain pen, or while she was resting it. They are left in because they are most widely accepted as intentional. Do with them what you will.

Also, this is another of the Emily Dickinson poems you can sing to "Yellow Rose of Texas."