My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamla Das (Poem, Explanation, Summary & Analysis)

 

My Mother at Sixty-Six

by Kamla Das

(Poem, Explanation, Summary & Analysis) 

"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a poignant poem written by the Indian poet Kamala Das (also known as Kamala Suraiya). The poem was first published in 1967 and reflects the poet's emotional observations of her aging mother. The poem captures the vulnerability and love between a daughter and her aging mother.

 

My Mother at Sixty-Six

Driving from my parent's

home to Cochin last Friday

morning, I saw my mother,

beside me,

doze, open mouthed, her face

ashen like that

of a corpse and realized with

pain

that she was as old as she

looked but soon

put that thought away, and

looked out at Young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

out of their homes, but after the airport's

security check, standing a few yards

away, I looked again at her, wan, pale

as a late winter's moon and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood's fear,

but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,

all I did was smile and smile and

smile...

 

In "My Mother at Sixty-Six," Kamala Das uses simple yet powerful language to portray the emotional depth of the relationship between a mother and her daughter. The poet is moved by her mother's aging appearance and the realization that her mother is getting old. The poem reflects on the passage of time and the changing dynamics between a parent and a grown-up child.

Throughout the poem, the poet conveys her love and concern for her mother. The use of descriptive imagery, such as "wan, pale as a late winter's moon," emphasizes the mother's frailty and vulnerability. The repetition of the word "smile" at the end of the poem underscores the daughter's attempt to remain positive despite her emotions.

Overall, "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a touching portrayal of the bittersweet reality of aging and the enduring bond between a mother and her child.

 

Explanation

 

"Driving from my parent's home to Cochin last Friday morning,

I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open-mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse."

The poet is narrating a journey from her parent's house to Cochin. As she drives, she notices her mother, who is sitting next to her in the car, sleeping with her mouth open. The poet describes her mother's face as pale, resembling that of a lifeless body.

 

"and realized with pain

that she was as old as she looked"

The poet becomes painfully aware of her mother's age. The sight of her mother looking frail and aged makes her realize the reality of her mother's advanced years.

 

"but soon put that thought away, and

looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes,"

The poet tries to push away her initial thoughts about her mother's age and vulnerability. She distracts herself by looking outside the car window and observes young trees passing by, as well as cheerful children playing outside their homes.

 

"but after the airport's security check, standing a few yards away,

I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter's moon"

After reaching the airport and going through the security check, the poet looks at her mother again. This time, she notices her mother's face more closely and describes her as wan and pale, comparing her complexion to that of a moon during the late winter season.

 

"and felt that old familiar ache, my childhood's fear,"

The sight of her mother's aging appearance evokes a deep emotional response in the poet. She experiences a familiar ache and fear that she has carried since her childhood, likely related to the fear of losing her mother or seeing her age.

 

"but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,"

Despite feeling emotional and concerned, the poet decides not to express her feelings openly. Instead, she keeps her emotions to herself and simply tells her mother, "see you soon, Amma" (Amma is a term used for mother in some Indian languages).

 

"all I did was smile and smile and smile..."

The poem concludes with the repetition of the word "smile" three times. This repetition suggests that the poet puts on a brave and cheerful facade, hiding her true emotions behind her smile. It reflects the complex mix of love, concern, and emotional restraint that the poet experiences as she witnesses her mother's aging process.

 

In "My Mother at Sixty-Six," Kamala Das beautifully captures the universal theme of aging and the tender emotions shared between a mother and her daughter. The poem's simplicity and evocative imagery make it a touching portrayal of the passing of time and the enduring bond between generations.

 

Summary

"My Mother at Sixty-Six" by Kamala Das is a touching and reflective poem that revolves around a car journey taken by the poet with her aging mother. As they travel together, the poet observes her mother's appearance, noticing her vulnerability and signs of aging, which evoke a deep emotional response. The mother's face appears pale and frail, prompting the poet to confront the reality of her mother's advancing years.

Despite the emotional turmoil inside, the poet restrains herself from openly expressing her feelings to her mother. Instead, she puts on a brave smile, hiding her true emotions behind a facade of cheerfulness. The poem emphasizes the daughter's love and concern for her mother while reflecting on the universal themes of aging, mortality, and the enduring bond between a mother and her grown-up child.

Throughout the poem, Kamala Das uses vivid imagery to create a contrast between the mother's aging appearance and the lively world outside the car window. The poet's observations and emotional restraint highlight the complexity of family relationships, filial duty, and the inevitable passage of time.

In its brevity, "My Mother at Sixty-Six" captures the profound and universal experience of witnessing a loved one age, leaving readers with a poignant reminder of the preciousness of family bonds and the inevitability of life's changes.

 

Analysis

"My Mother at Sixty-Six" by Kamala Das is a poignant and emotionally charged poem that delves into the theme of aging and the complex relationship between a mother and her grown-up daughter. The poem, consisting of only fifteen lines, is rich in imagery and evokes deep emotions through its straightforward and honest language.

 

Poetic Devices:

 

Imagery: The poet skillfully employs descriptive imagery to convey the physical appearance of the mother, such as "doze, open-mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse" and "wan, pale as a late winter's moon." These images evoke a vivid and somber picture of the mother's aging.

 

Repetition: The repetition of the word "smile" in the final line emphasizes the daughter's attempt to hide her emotions and maintain a cheerful facade despite her inner turmoil.

 

Contrast: The poem presents a contrast between the mother's aging appearance and the vibrant world outside the car window, where "Young Trees [are] sprinting" and "merry children [are] spilling out of their homes." This contrast highlights the dichotomy between the natural progression of life and the inevitability of aging.

 

Emotions and Themes:

 

Love and Concern: The poem is a poignant portrayal of the daughter's love and concern for her aging mother. The poet's deep emotional connection with her mother is evident through her observations and the familiar ache she experiences, which she associates with her "childhood's fear."

 

Aging and Mortality: The central theme of the poem revolves around the mother's aging process and mortality. The poet's realization of her mother's advancing age brings forth a sense of vulnerability and the inevitability of the cycle of life.

 

Filial Duty and Restraint: The daughter's decision to hide her emotions and put on a brave smile reflects the sense of duty and restraint often experienced in parent-child relationships. She chooses not to burden her mother with her feelings, opting instead to reassure her with a positive outlook.

 

Narrative Structure:

The poem follows a linear narrative structure, where the poet recounts her observations and emotions during a car journey with her mother. The poem is divided into two parts: the initial part describing the mother's appearance and the daughter's reaction, and the later part focusing on the daughter's attempt to suppress her emotions.

 

Cultural Context:

Kamala Das, an Indian poet, often incorporated cultural elements into her works. The use of the term "Amma" (mother) in the poem reflects the cultural background and linguistic influence of the poet.

 

Universality and Relatability:

The poem's theme of aging and the changing dynamics between parents and their grown-up children is universal and relatable to readers from diverse cultural backgrounds. It touches upon the universal experiences of love, concern, and the inevitability of aging, making it resonate with readers worldwide.

 

In conclusion, "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that skillfully captures the complexities of aging, love, and family relationships. Kamala Das's masterful use of imagery and restrained emotions leaves a profound impact on readers, encouraging them to reflect on the passing of time and the enduring bonds between generations.