“Hope is the thing with feathers”

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

Emily DIckinson

How can we find hope amid uncertainty, conflict, or loss? Hope develops and cultivates in the same manner as faith. It is a state with which we are graced. It gives and yet doesn’t ask anything-even a crumb-of us.

Emily Dickenson writes that hope is the thing with feathers. It is a bird that lives within us and gives our soul that extra push when we need it. If you have ever watched birds, then you have experienced their determination. The little bird has endless hope and that hope will not be bashed in the coldest landscape. It is said that hope is like a bird who senses the dawn and carefully starts to sing while it is still dark.

Today I sit and write and the wind is blowing wildly creating temperatures below zero. Most of my beloved birds are huddled somewhere warm eating food and suet. It is sometimes difficult to feel hopeful and yet the birds are still moving as if it is warm and there will be food. I do see a small woodpecker spinning in the wind eating hungrily. A host of sparrows swooned by to look for something tasty.

Emily Dickinson used the metaphor of birds over two hundred times in her poetry. She loved birds and I believe birds represented her understanding of her world…calmness, quietness with great strength and hope.