Expectation belongs to the Body,
Whereas Hope belongs to the Soul²
Old Hopes become Today’s Routines³
Who shall say that Fortune Grieves him
While the Star of Hope she Leaves him?⁴
When I Hope I Fear – since I Hope I Dare⁵
When I say Hope – all I mean is Believing
That it’s Worth it to keep one’s Eyes Open⁶
Hope springs Eternal in the human breast:
Man Never Is – but Always To Be Blest⁷
Today one puts forth the Tender Leaves
Of Hopes – that Tomorrow Blossoms⁸
Hope we Rekindle and in hope End –
Over Death, over Dread, out of Loss,
Out of Life – and into Long Glory⁹
O Prophet of Glad tidings –
Finisher of utmost Hope!¹⁰
¹ Latin Phrase (Dum Spiro Spero)
² John Berger, From A to X
³ Reet Stillwell, Short Time Friends
⁴ Robert Burns, Ae Fond Kiss
⁵ Emily Dickinson, When I Hoped I Feared
⁶ Maggie Nelson, Bluets 32
⁷ Alexander Pope, Epistle 1
⁸ William Shakespeare, Henry VIII
⁹ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
¹⁰ John Milton, Paradise Lost