Discuss the theme of life, death, and renewal in “Snowflakes Sail Gently Down.”
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Gabriel Okara (1921-2019) shows the deep link between life, death, and renewal in his poem “Snowflakes Sail Gently Down” (1959). The poem begins with peace and ends with silence. The poet sees life and death as parts of one circle. The snow, birds, and trees together show rest, rebirth, and faith. Through calm and gentle images, Okara teaches that nothing truly ends in nature.
Image of Life: The poet dreams of life inside himself. He writes,
The birds are symbols of hope and creation. They bring energy and new life to the silent world. The “oil palms bearing suns for fruits” also show fertility and strength“I dreamed of birds, black birds flying in my inside.”