Once Upone A Time (Gabriel Okara)
Once Upone A Time.
The poet tells his son that there was a time when human being were true and free from any kind of artificiality. When they laughed,they laughed from the heart. Even their eyes shone with the light of joy. But now, they laughed only to show to others that they are laughing. So their laughter shows only their teeth. It is not an expression of real joy. There eyes also remain cold and feelingless, as if looking not at the man in front of them, but at his shadow.
In the past, human beings were sincere in their relationship with others. When they shock hands with somebody,it show the warmth of their feelings.But now that sincerity does not exist in human relatioship. When they shake hands, it is a mere formality. While they are shaking hands on tries to pick the pocket of the other with hiss left hand. Thus, a handshake is no more an expression of warm feelings.
The modern man poses to be a good and happy host in front of his guests. when his friend and relatives visit him , he pretends to be happy over their coming. He enterains them and asks them to feel at home. He does so once or twice only. When the same guests visit him for the third time,the doors are closed for him.
The poest tells his son that seeing this kind of behavior around him, he too, has changed. He has now learnt to change his face, his expressions and behaviour like his dresses. Now he can pose well.He wears different face expressions for different places and occasions.
He knows what kind of face he should wear at home, in the office,in the street, as a host and as a guest in a cocktail party. His smile changes according to the situation and the type of persons he is with.
The poet says that he has now learnt all kinds of artifical behaviour. He can laugh withoutbeing happy at heart. He shakes hand with others without any warmth of feelings. Now he can say 'goodbye' to his guests when at heart he is happy to be rid of them.
When he is not glad to see a person, he can tell him that he is glad to meet him. Similarly, when he is bored in conversation with someone he can say that it was nice talking to him. Thus, he has become an expert in hypocrisy.
The poet is not happy with all this. He tells his son that he heartily wants to regain his old self. He wants to be true an sincere as he was in his childhood. Then he used to be like his son simple, sincere and straightforward. He wants to forget all those things which have caused a change in his nature.
Above eyerything else, he wants to learn real laughter once again. Now when he sees his laughter in the mirror, he sees only his teeth. They look like the poisonous and dangerous fangs of a snake. No real joy is reflected in that laughter. So he request his son to show him how to laugh sincerely. He wants to laugh and smile as he used to when he was innocent and true at heart like his son.
Finish
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
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