ONCE UPON A TIME
GABRIEL OKARA
In the first stanza, the poet says to his child that there is
genuine change has happened in the behaviour of the people. Their smile was
certified. He used to smile generously. Presently they laugh falsely having no
sentiments. Presently their attitude has changed. The depiction of "laugh
with their teeth" delineates somebody showing false interest. The dark
symbolism, “ice-block cold eyes" which follows shows that there is no
feeling or feeling in the activity. They additionally took a gander at the
foundation being uninterested in the man.
In the second stanza, the poet tells his child that sometime in
the past people met each other generously and warmly shake hand however time changes
each individual. All good intentions have gone at this point. Everyone is
zeroing in on their own benefit. The utilization of a metaphor underscores how
there is absence of trust as everyone is attempting to utilize one another. In
those days people cordial term with others generously however nowadays
individuals make friends outwardly and attempt to think about how rich one is
prior to make friendship. The expression 'empty pockets' could a connate that
he has been deprived of all genuine satisfaction and has been left feeling
empty and alone.
In the third stanza, the poet features another part of
individuals' practices. He say that individuals welcome others agreeable yet
not keen on inviting the guest generously, they only incredible for welcoming
the guest heartily. Individuals welcome someone to get back home; however when
that man visited them then their response appears to be totally different. It
resembles they have closed entryways for that man or for some other guest. They
don't get the guest third time.
In the fourth stanza, has been centered around how people
will in general change their look for different occasion, individuals will in
general have an alternate smile like a fixed picture that won't ever change.
Despite the fact the poet tells his child that he has taken in the misleadingly
and mechanical standard of behaviour of present day man. He has figured out how
to smile with no sentiments and furthermore has figured out how to manage this
hard, deceitful world by turning out to be very much like every one individual.
In the fifth stanza the poet is saying that there is no
obvious feeling in his words and sentiments, and they are said with simply his
tongue and not his heart generally in this poem. The poet shows how the
environment affects how he acts, how he is sincerely segregated from others,
how it has annihilated his energy and how it has made his heart cruel. The poet
has adjusted to the climate around him and that he has picked up the
unfortunate quirks that are floating around him. He has figured out how to
laugh without joy and to snicker just for the sake of chuckling.
In the sixth stanza, the poet tells his child who isn't
influenced by the environment and the society, that how he used to feel the
poet says in the first time through of the stanza. Yet, trust me child
"emphasizing with regret" I need to be what I used to be, I need to
forget every one of these things. These lines portray his franticness to return
to his old honest ways, where he felt life was extremely basic and his feelings
were straightforward. It additionally portrays his expectation and wants to
forget every one of the unfortunate quirks he has picked up throughout the long
term.
In the last stanza, the poet asks his child nearly begs him
to assist him with recovering the positive routines he has lost and to show him
how to have true honest emotions. He communicates a craving to forget whatever
he has forced himself to figure out how to adjust to the environment and
society.
