“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.