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On Hope's Broken Wing
There are times in life when hope can feel as if it has disappeared. We may look around and see only the problems we are facing, and even the things that once brought us joy may no longer lift our spirits. When discouragement settles in, it can be difficult to believe that brighter days will come.
Mary C. Ryan's poem On Hope's Broken Wing beautifully describes that feeling. She compares a life without hope to a garden covered with snow, where the flowers and beauty seem to have disappeared. But the poem does not leave us there. A little bird and a blooming lily become reminders of God's care and of the hope we can find when we turn our thoughts back to Him.
One of the messages I especially like in this poem is the reminder that God cares for even the smallest parts of His creation. If He watches over the birds and provides for the flowers, we can trust that He has not forgotten us. We may not always understand what is happening in our lives, but prayer and faith can help us find peace while we wait for things to change.
May this poem encourage you when your hope feels weak. A difficult season does not mean hope is gone forever. Keep trusting, keep praying, and remember that even after the coldest winter, flowers can bloom again.
Updated September 26, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
On Hope's Broken Wing
Poet: Mary C. Ryan
On hope's broken wing my spirit once fell.
From joy's sunny heights to great depths of woe;
And music's sweet strains in sadness did swell,
Life's garden of flowers was covered with snow.
But a bright little bird sang of God's love,
"I, even I, to the ground can not fall,
Without the care of the Father above;,
He careth for me, for He loveth all."
My eyes then beheld a lily in bloom;
From her heart of gold she whispered to me:
"I sow and reap not, I dread not the tomb,
The hand of my God provideth for me."
My soul then, in prayer, sought peace with its God,
The snow on life's garden melted away:
And my new heart seemed a beautiful sod
Where a sweet hope bloomed that ne'er will decay.
Key Reflections In This Poem
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Hope Can Return
There may be times when discouragement makes us feel as though hope has disappeared. This poem reminds us that a difficult season does not have to be the end of our hope.
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God Has Not Forgotten Us
The little bird reminds us of God's care for His creation. When we feel alone or uncertain, we can remember that His love and care extend to us as well.
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Look For God's Care Around You
Sometimes a simple part of creation can remind us that God is near. The bird and the lily encourage us to notice the little signs of His provision that we might otherwise overlook.
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Prayer Can Bring Peace
The turning point in the poem comes when the troubled soul seeks God in prayer. Our circumstances may not change immediately, but prayer can bring peace and help us face them with renewed faith.
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Hope Can Bloom Again
A garden covered with snow may appear lifeless, yet beneath it there is still the promise of another season. In the same way, hope can begin to grow again when we place our trust in God.
Popular Pages
Continue with poems, quotes, and prayers that offer hope, strengthen faith, and remind us to trust in God's care.
When discouragement weighs on your heart, these Poems About Hope offer reminders to keep looking ahead and believing that better days can come.
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These Trust In God Poems remind us to lean on our faith and believe that God remains with us through every season of life.
Read God Cares For You for another comforting reminder that God's loving care reaches into every part of our lives.
When you need a few simple words to turn your thoughts toward God, these Short Prayers can help you express your faith, gratitude, and concerns.
These Quotes About Trust offer thoughtful reminders about letting go of uncertainty and placing our confidence in God.
Conclusion
On Hope's Broken Wing reminds us that losing hope can change the way we see everything around us. Joy can seem distant, and life can feel like a garden covered with winter snow. Yet Mary C. Ryan gently reminds us that God is still there, even when we are struggling to see Him.
I especially love the way the poem uses the little bird and the lily to remind us of God's care. They cannot see what tomorrow will bring, yet they continue according to the way God created them. We can learn from that simple picture. We may not have all the answers, but we can pray, trust, and believe that God has not forgotten us.
So when your hope feels as though it is resting on a broken wing, remember that it can rise again. Keep your faith, take your worries to God, and trust that another season will come when hope once again blooms in your heart.
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