th And Peace:
The “white funeral cloth” clearly stands for death, but not a painful or violent one. It covers the earth slowly. It suggests calmness and acceptance. The word “white” shows purity and rest, not fear or sadness. The poet expresses that death in nature is peaceful and part of life’s natural process.
Image Of Purity And Renewal: The whiteness of the snow represents cleansing and rebirth. As the “funeral cloth” spreads, it hides the tired, dark world under a pure white layer. This shows that nature has the power to renew itself. Even when things seem dead, new life and peace will come again through nature’s rhythm.
Spiritual Meaning Of Death: The phrase “over deathless earth” adds a deeper meaning. Though the earth seems covered by death, it is actually “deathless.” This means life continues under the snow. The poet believes that death is not the end but a peaceful rest before new life begins.
Image Of Silence And Stillness: The slow movement of the “white funeral cloth” gives the feeling of silence and calm. It spreads without sound, showing the quiet power of nature. This silence becomes a symbol of spiritual peace where both earth and man rest together.
In this line, Gabriel Okara turns death into a symbol of beauty and peace. The “white funeral cloth” becomes not a mark of sorrow but of purity, rest, and renewal. It teaches that death is not an end but part of nature’s eternal and peaceful cycle.
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