And Peace:
The “white funeral cloth” clearly stands for death, but not a painful one. It covers the earth slowly, suggesting calmness and acceptance. The word “white” shows purity and rest, not fear. The poet uses this image to express that death in nature is gentle and peaceful.
Sign Of Purity And Renewal: The snow’s whiteness represents cleansing and renewal. When the funeral cloth spreads, it hides the tired, dark world under a pure white cover. This purity suggests that after death or suffering, life finds peace again. The snow becomes a symbol of both ending and beginning.
Image Of Silence And Stillness: The slow movement of the “white funeral cloth” gives a feeling of silence and stillness. The poet says,
“White funeral cloth is slowly unrolled.”
It spreads without noise by showing the quiet power of nature. This silence reflects spiritual peace, where both the earth and the poet’s heart rest together. The snow does not destroy; it heals through its softness.
Spiritual Meaning Of Death: The line “over deathless earth” adds a deeper spiritual idea. Though the earth seems covered in death, it is actually “deathless.” This means life continues beneath the snow. Okara shows that death is only a pause, not an end. Nature’s spirit always remains alive.
The “white funeral cloth” is a strong symbol of death, purity, and peace. It joins life and death in one calm picture. Through this image, Gabriel Okara teaches that death is not destruction but a quiet return to nature’s eternal rest and purity.
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