HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS

Poet: Emily Dickinson

Published: 1891

The most famous poem by Emily Dickinson, Hope is the Thing with Feathers is one of
the best known short poems in the English language. It metaphorically describes
hope as a feathered bird that rests in the soul. It sings without words and
continuously, never stopping in its quest to inspire. It sounds sweetest in hardships
and it must take an extremely troubling situation to abash this “little Bird”  that gives
warmth and comfort to so many people in difficult times. Moreover, despite serving
in the direst circumstances, it never demands anything. Hope is the Thing with
Feathers is an early poem of Dickinson but despite its simple style, it remains hugely
popular.

Poem:-

”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.