Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul,Hope is compared to a bird. 'Feathers' means hope is comforting, warm, and it can be uplifting. Hope is in the deepest part of who we are.
And sings the tune without the words,And never stops at allThe bird sings and never stops. It is permanently there. In a situation that we think won't end well, we hope and that hope sometimes brings us comfort.
And sweetest in the gale is heard;And sore must be the stormHope is there during the bad situations. This picture shows a girl and a bird that represents her hope. She hopes that she finds her way home and that the storm stops.
That could abash the little birdThat kept so many warm.A bad situation can trouble the bird's song that kept us warm and comforted. For example in a bad living situation someone might have trouble finding hope because they don't things will get better.
I've heard it in the chillest land,And on the strangest sea;They've heard others have hope during good and bad times
Yet, never, in extremity,It asked a crumb of me.Hope comforts people during good and bad times. It never asks for anything in return. Hope is selfless.