Gabriel Okara (1921) is a Nigerian poet and novelist. His poems have been translated into many languages. Before establishing him self as an accomplished writer in 1960 he had written poems for Black Orpheus. He was conferred the best award for Literature at the Nigerian Festival of Arts in 1953. He was also honoured with the Commonwealth Poetry. Award. Okara’s speciality is that his poems emerge from everyday reality, merge with moments of delight and move back to reality making a complete circle. His prose and poetry were infused with African thought, folklore and imagery. Okara’s poems show great sensitivity, perceptive judgements and a tremendous energy. This poem “Once Upon a Time” reminds one of William Wordsworth’s “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollection of Early Childhood”. Okara illustrates the changes a father has seen in him throughout his life which have been influenced by the way the society has changed.
