The poem "Once Upon a Time" by Nigerian writer Gabriel Okara expresses regret about how people change and become untrustworthy as traditional African culture encounters modern Western culture. Okara captures the speaker's sadness over losing authentic human connections as people now only laugh with their teeth and shake hands without heart while searching empty pockets. Through repetition of "them/they", direct speech, and vivid imagery, Okara conveys the speaker's sense of isolation after learning to wear different faces and say goodbye when meaning good riddance.