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.

Summary

Emily Dickinson’s poem "‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers" compares hope to a bird that lives within the soul. This bird sings continuously, even during difficult times, and never asks for anything in return. The poem emphasizes how resilient and comforting hope is, especially during life’s hardest moments.