Tuesday, January 6, 2009


A Thing With Feathers

Whilst perusing the online news sites on the first morning of this new year, an opinion poll happened to catch my eye. There it sat, on the right hand side of the home page of CNN, sandwiched between the grimmest sort of headlines, one simple question: How do you feel about the coming year? Only two answers were available: Hopeful? , or Hopeless? After clicking my choice, I was curious to see the results of everyone else’s answers, and smiled in amazement at what I saw. Overwhelmingly, and in spite of the surrounding sirens of tangible woe, almost everyone had cast their vote for Hope. I nodded at the resiliency of the human race; at our never ending belief that we can achieve a better day - that we are nobler, kinder, smarter than our present circumstances might suggest. We remain ever hopeful that we can, and shall, rise above and even, dare we say, soar. And truly, what greatness has ever been achieved without that thing called Hope?

I have thought a great deal over the past year about the man Martin Luther King. What would he be feeling in this first month of the year 2009, as America stands proudly poised to inaugurate her first African-American president? He who had been insulted, jailed, jeered, then murdered, for daring to hope in the better natures of the American people. He who had dared to dream. It brings tears to the eyes and indeed, shame to the soul for the one who chooses to set down the precious burden of hope when the weight becomes too heavy.

For some of us, hope is a lyrical embroidery that flows through the tapestry of our very natures. We are sewn together with its shimmering threads. For others, Hope is much more of a conscious choice, and sometimes a difficult one. As we all set off through this year late in the first decade of a new century, our journey is not unlike any adventurous expedition of old. Like explorers before us, we never know what might lie just around the bend. But, where there is an end, may we all see a beginning, may we turn our challenges into opportunities, make the choice to replace doubt with faith, and when there is death, may the Hope of new life be made real.

Emily Dickinson so eloquently described Hope as “a thing with feathers”. As I write this, fat little birds are watching me just outside my window, fluffy and cheerful. Despite the remarkably cold afternoon, there they sit, tiny and serene on my windowsill, occasionally lifting up a tune; not the least bit bothered or fretful. I can easily see the basis for Dickinson’s poetic description. For in the midst of the world’s current gales, this perennial presence of hope is a most sweetly feathered thing indeed.

Hope
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 chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

by Emily Dickinson

49 comments:

  1. Beautiful..if we didn't have hope how could we go on?

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  2. Thank you. This was just what I needed to hear. My little battery is recharged. I love that you shared the results of the poll - it makes the world much brighter, doesn't it? Beautiful post, and that poem is one of my favorites.

    xo Isa

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  3. Your writing is like a beacon on a hill, to draw people to for light and warmth.

    I think of hope as very daring, and also very gentle.

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  4. One of my favorite poems - I never get tired of Emily. Your blog is really beautiful Pamela - I've been catching up. How do you find the time?! You must be a master of time management as well...and you make it look so effortless! Love visiting with you.
    Catherine

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  5. Oh we must choose HOPE despite knowing the difficulties, otherwise, why even live? I visited your blog earlier (while at work) thus was unable to leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by. Definitely let's not be streangers.

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  6. I love that scene in the film "Charlotte Gray" when she is asked if she had to chose one, faith, hope or love and she choses hope.

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  7. This is a wonderful and uplifting post. Thank you.

    I have been feeling hope for the future for the past few months. In may seem irrational based upon current circumstances, but the hope is real.

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  8. I love Emily Dickinson's poetry. Thanks.

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  9. I think a new admin will give us the jolt we need! Beautifully written! I had a college professor who had Emily Dickinson's autograph...he passed it around in a sealed case but what an incredible thing to hold!

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  10. Your words say it all and so beautiful! The picture of the little girl and Emily's poem fits perfect- like a glove!

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  11. The little girl looks like you. Thank you for the hopeful message.

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  12. Oh how wonderful! I'm hopeful, that's for sure - and I know that most of my family and friends are. I think that's what keeps the battery of America charged - like Isa said. Great post!

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  13. I love that poem. And yes, I agree! It makes my heart sing to see so many be so hopeful right now, at a very dark time! I'm excited about 2009!

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  14. Thank you for a wonderful, uplifting post... it is certainly a great sign that the poll revealed so much hope in this country...I can feel the winds of change already...Have always loved Emily Dickenson - and you quoted one of my favorites...

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  15. Even without knowing the poll results - I have found expressing s that same feeling of 2009 being a great year! Thanks for your lovely thoughts.

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  16. What a beautiful post! Your lovely, positive words made me more hopeful about the coming year. I have high expectations...and you let me know that others have those expectations too! Thank you! And thank you for your beautiful words!

    Malisa

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  17. hope is indeed lyrical embroidery and fluffy birds singing. Lovely post.

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  18. Inspiring. Wonderful post!

    Happy New Year hugs to you and Edward.

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  19. Emily Dickinson wrote such wonderful poetry, it is inspiring and heartening to share the poll results.

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  20. Emily Dickinson was such an amazing woman. She did know how to put hope, love and wisdom into words. I think hope is more important to our life's blood and energy than food, water or shelter. All of the normal things in life are meaningless if we have no hope.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  21. In my novel, the canine protagonist is named Little Hope. The whole notion of hope is integral to the book and to my life. Thank you for your lovely essay, Pamela!

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  22. Hope is what has kept us going Pamela throughout the generations. I have determined not to be miserable this year and to look at the news only once a day and to think positive!

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  23. Pamela, that little girl is so lovely it could be a portrait of you.
    In seemingly normal circumstances, one would call it hope, yet my father after years in an arctic gulag when I asked him how people could survive conditions like that, replied, the will to live, to cling to life no matter what is man's strongest instinct. I imagine the people incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay felt the same.

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  24. How absolutely beautiful Pamela! And one of my favourite poems.

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  25. That painting is beautiful and so is the amazing poem by E.D...wonderful and uplifting.

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  26. Beautiful post and one of my favourite poems, just right for the times.

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  27. Pamela, thank you! I needed to read something positive today as the ice lashes down so fiercely we couldn’t leave the house. Nice new look to your blog for 2009. You have a nice stack of books from X-mas – no wonder you are in good cheer. I'm smiling now too. Pat to Edward.

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  28. Well, I;'m afraid i don't put much hope in the way things are trending but we can't misplace our hope here. It will always disappoint. We must, instead have a wellspring of hope, love and joy within. On race alone, having our first Molato President is indeed a very good sign.

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  29. Hope it is! Lovely poem and picture!

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  30. you know,Clinton came from Hope. ahaaha! just kidding.

    lovely thoughts about MLK - can you imagine what he would think?
    It's so amazing. the country seems to really be behind this man now. I feel sorry for him - he is walking into disaster. Let's pray he can turn everything around.

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  31. such a thoughtful post P & E - the poem is just yummy, but everything here is!

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  32. I vote for hope and thank you for the beautiful post, xv.

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  33. Yes..my thoughts completely.Its on my blog everyday..Beautiful painting also..

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  34. Wonderful poem, lovely painting and truly magnificent words from you - we must all have hopes of some kind, however big or small, to carry on. Thankyou:)

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  35. Hello P & E,

    Another entrancing post. The thing about hope is that we all have different ones. Some all-encompassing, like peace; others very small and personal.

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  36. Thank you Pamela for such a beautiful post. I know I am one of those who is held together by the threads of hope and I am thankful for it, but I do not know if I fully recognized that in myself until I read your lovely essay today.

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  37. Hi Pamela and Elward!
    Happy New Year!!
    Yes!! Without hope life would be intolerable!
    Thank you for sharing this poem and your findings about how people are feeling. People are amazingly resilient don't you think?

    xox
    Constance

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  38. SO beautiful,i love emily D. she'smy fave.
    thank for your comment rgarding my ferret, :)
    oh and happy late holidays

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  39. I enjoyed reading your lovely uplifting poston a very grey and gloomy day here.
    Hope certainly does spring eternal!

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  40. What a wonderful, heartwarming post Pamela. Super poem and I agree about the little birds. They give me joy no matter what the weather brings. Your prose is superb.

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  41. Oh yes... the optimism of the human race is something to celebrate...perhaps that's the reason we celebrate the New Year's.

    You seem to have such lovely collection of books.

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  42. This is a lovely post, I think it helps everyone to read positive things like this. I'm very fortunate to be naturally positive and always able to see a light at the end of the tunnel but I know that many others are not made this way. There have been articles recently that a person who is happy and positive can influence many others like a stone in a pond. What a pity the media don't act on this and publish some good news as well as, or even instead of!!, all the doom and gloom.

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  43. I love Emily's tight, taut, economical poetry! Yes, and Hope has more than a crumb of me. A whole loaf, rather! In South Africa we know all about hope! Hope against the odds; Hope for an even better country where we will finally be crime and disease free; Hope for all those still struggling to cast off the past. Certainly, 2009 will be a good year. It is always our choice what we make of things. Thanks for your lovely visits!

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  44. All we have is to hope for the best.
    Keep putting this out for the universe to provide.

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  45. Thank he's great for cuddles.....
    Kind regards Marion

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  46. I think I'm feeling a little hopeful for the distant future, but a little dispondant by the current situation in the UK. We are hearing of lay offs and companies calling in the receiver such as Wedgewood/Waterford and Royal Doulton. New big names seem to be going each day. We need hope though to carry on towards a better time.

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  47. That was such an inspiring and uplifting post, Pamela. I love Emily Dickenson's poetry.

    And I've always meant to mention that I think Edward has such a kind face.

    Happy New Year to you both.

    xx

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  48. I feel such a connection between feathered creatures and hope and magic. Can't tell you how much this means to me, thank you so much!

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!