Exploring 'Once Upon a Time' by Gabriel Okara: A Search for Truth beyond Nostalgia
It’s all masked!
In today’s modern world where all our relationships seem to be smothered by nothing but expectations, heart warming dialogues have waned. People meet each other. They exchange a smile, and shake hands. But there stirs nothing inside the heart. Emotions are overcome by mechanical acts. Words speak, ears hear! This happens in a distant place, in the “unheard zone” of the mind. There is no soul in the conversations. Dried up words lifelessly rustle and convey no meaning of life.
As they grow old, people become nostalgic about their childhood and school days. To celebrate the wonderful memories, reunions are organised. Friends come together. They hug, shake hands, and fondly remember, share the old memories of togetherness.
But Where is Friendship?
Meanwhile, life travels a long and far distance. Now, the hugs and handshakes are devoid of the emotions of childhood friendship. The touch no longer feels amicable. Soon, the conversation turns to bragging, achievements in careers are counted, and wealth is measured.
Friends now try to judge each other. At the end of the day, the joy of nostalgic memories turns into new challenges. These challenges have nothing to do with comparing school exam marks but have much to do with the status they hold in their careers, society, and beyond.
An Encounter with the Poem
The other day, while leafing through a poetry collection, I happened to read this beautiful poem. It wasn’t just a sentimental reaction but indeed, a profound thought to reflect upon.
The poem has every striking element of human emotion and behaviour that makes you think deeper.
As I explored its verses, I found myself drawn into its lyrical beauty and evocative imagery. The poem spoke of timeless truths and stirred emotions that lingered long after I had finished reading. It reminded me of the power of poetry to transcend mere words, touching the soul with its profound insights and resonant themes. In those moments, I realised that great poetry has the ability to enrich our lives and illuminate aspects of our existence in ways that are both enlightening and deeply moving.
I am sure you’ll love reading this beautiful poem too.
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time,
son,
they used to laugh with their hearts
and laugh with their eyes:
but now they only laugh with their teeth,
while their ice-block-cold eyes
search behind my shadow.
There was a time
indeed
they used to shake hands with their hearts:
but that’s gone, son.
Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left hands search
my empty pockets.
‘Feel at home!’ ‘Come
again’:
they say, and when I come
again and feel
at home, once, twice,
there will be no thrice-
for then I find doors shut on me.
So I have learned
many things, son.
I have learned to wear many faces
like dresses – homeface,
officeface, streetface, hostface,
cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles
like a fixed portrait smile.
And I have learned
too
to laugh with only my teeth
and shake hands without my heart.
I have also learned to say,’Goodbye’,
when I mean ‘Good-riddance’:
to say ‘Glad to meet you’,
without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
nice talking to you’, after being bored.
But believe me, son.
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you. I want
to unlearn all these muting things.
Most of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!
So show me, son,
how to laugh; show me how
I used to laugh and smile
once upon a time when I was like you.
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