One of the songs I loved to sing with my children’s choirs is “Give Us Hope” by Jim Papoulis. It is such a poignant affirmation of hope and resilience! In May 2020 the Young People’s Chorus of NYC posted a fabulous video of this song from their Call to Unite campaign to celebrate our collective humanity. When the video begins, choir members ask the question “When this is over, who will I be?” Listen and ask yourself the same question.
The events of this past week have been overwhelming and disheartening. Listening to uplifting music and reading through my favorite poems folder has been such a consolation. In her poem “Hope is the Thing With Feathers” Emily Dickinson reassures us that even in the darkest storm we can have hope and carry on.
“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.
Is Prayer “For The Birds?”
