"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a touching poem by Kamala Das, also known as Kamala Surayya. It poignantly captures the poet’s feelings of love and concern for her aging mother. The poem explores themes of aging, the passage of time, and the inevitable separation between loved ones.
The poem begins with the poet driving from her parents' home to the Cochin airport. Her mother is sitting beside her, dozing off with her mouth slightly open. As the poet looks at her mother, she realizes with a pang that her mother is aging.
The poet describes her mother’s face as "ashen like that of a corpse," reflecting her frailty and the signs of old age. This simile starkly captures the poet’s fear of losing her mother to the inevitability of death.
To distract herself from this painful realization, the poet looks out of the car window and observes the world outside. She notices young trees sprinting and merry children spilling out of their homes. These images of youth and vitality contrast sharply with her mother’s condition, highlighting the cycle of life and the stark contrast between youth and old age.
Upon reaching the airport, the poet faces the moment of departure. As she bids goodbye to her mother, she is overwhelmed by a sense of fear and sadness, realizing that this could be the last time she sees her alive. Despite her attempts to mask her emotions, she feels a deep, underlying anxiety about her mother’s mortality.
The poet looks at her mother’s pale face once again and is reminded of her childhood fear of separation. However, she masks her sorrow with a smile and utters the words "See you soon, Amma." These words reflect her desire to hold onto hope and maintain a sense of normalcy, despite the looming reality of her mother’s aging and the possibility of permanent separation.
Themes
Aging and Mortality: The poem poignantly captures the process of aging and the inevitable approach of death. The poet’s description of her mother’s physical appearance reflects the toll that time takes on the human body.
Fear of Loss: The poem conveys the poet’s deep-seated fear of losing her mother. This fear is a universal emotion, relatable to anyone who has faced the prospect of losing a loved one.
Contrasts of Life: The juxtaposition of the mother’s aging with the images of youthful vitality outside the car window underscores the inevitable cycle of life and the stark differences between youth and old age.
Love and Attachment: The poet’s deep affection for her mother is evident throughout the poem. Her pain at the thought of separation highlights the strong bond between them.
Resilience and Hope: Despite her sorrow, the poet chooses to smile and say, "See you soon," indicating her resilience and hope in the face of uncertainty.
Conclusion
"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a deeply emotional poem that resonates with anyone who has experienced the fear of losing a loved one. Kamala Das masterfully captures the complexities of human emotions, reflecting on the passage of time, the inevitability of aging, and the enduring bond between mother and child. The poem's simplicity and emotional depth make it a powerful and relatable piece of literature.
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