Week one- A Reflection upon the concept Of Hope

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Ok so hello again world.
Today we were reflecting upon 'Hope' by Emily Dickinson. This poem forms part of a list we discovered on a blog listing 'must read' poetry:
This poem is really beautiful, and is written purely in a metaphorical vein. Using the extended metaphor of a bird - that 'thing with feathers' - the poet hones in on this creature's seeming weakness. It appears to lack any form of strength, yet:
"... sore must be the storm -
that could abash the little bird"
In spite of a howling gale, the bird continues to sing. This is acutely accurate in the ways of hope, and is particularly motivational to me.
Dickinson reminds us that no matter how small the chances, there is always hope in the world. No matter where you are, what you're doing, what's coming or what has happened, the bird still sings...
'And never stops at all'.




There is always hope. Always.
The poem suggests that hope 'perches in the soul' as a small bird would, and 'sings the tune without words' thus promising that hope is forever present. The song this bird sings is something that echoes out into the world, and back to us, from the shadows and sorrows of life, no matter what the circumstances may be. Dickinson lists some metaphorical scenarios, 'the gale', 'the storm', and 'the strangest sea' - all of which are unfamiliar and unpleasant circumstances that require hope as a motivation for tomorrow.
To put this into context, in a school or workplace one requires hope for a good mark on a piece of work, or a bonus. A simple smile to a new student at a school can give them hope, to not feel totally doomed and overwhelmed in a difficult situation.
We have all experienced lack of faith or hope. We have all given up at certain points in our lives, yet just as the world seems to fall apart, it has a funny way of redeeming itself. That is the wonderful thing about hope. Just when everything else around collapses into darkness and the silence of sadness, that faint song can be heard.
This poem is an important reminder for us, because as I've said hope is always there. We each have a little bird perched on our shoulders; no matter what,
there is always hope.
A.H🐝

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