Chapter my-mother-at-sixty-six: My Mother at Sixty-six | Long Questions

The "childhood's fear" that the poet refers to is the deep-rooted, universal insecurity every young child harbours—the terrifying fear of losing their mother or being separated from her permanently. For a child, a mother is the ultimate source of safety, comfort, and survival. As a young girl, Kamala Das likely experienced this intense fear of separation whenever she was apart from her mother. This old, familiar ache strongly resurfaces at the airport because the poet is looking at her mother's frail, pale, and corpse-like face after the security check. The undeniable physical signs of her mother's ageing and approaching death make the poet acutely aware that this might be their final meeting. The physical separation at the airport triggers the emotional and much more permanent fear of losing her mother forever to the ultimate separation of death.

At the end of the poem, the poet bids farewell to her mother by saying, "see you soon, Amma," and then all she does is "smile and smile and smile." These parting words and her repetitive smiling are a facade, deliberately constructed to hide her overwhelming inner turmoil and profound heartache. The poet is acutely aware of her mother's frail condition and is deeply terrified that she might not see her alive again. However, she does not want to burden her mother with her own sadness or fears. The words "see you soon" reflect a desperate hope against hope, an attempt to reassure herself that her mother will survive. Her continuous smile is an artificial mask of cheerfulness, serving as a brave front to provide comfort to her mother while desperately trying to suppress her own painful "childhood's fear."

The central theme of the poem "My Mother at Sixty-six" is the inescapable reality of ageing, the inevitable nature of death, and the complex pain of human separation. The poem beautifully explores the deeply emotional bond between a mother and a daughter. It brings to light the agonizing realization that parents grow old and eventually pass away, leaving behind a void. This theme evokes a strong sense of empathy because the fear of losing loved ones is a universal human experience. Every reader can easily relate to the poet’s silent agony, her desperate attempt to distract herself from gloomy thoughts, and her brave effort to hide her tears behind a reassuring smile. By sharing a very personal moment of vulnerability, the poet connects with the readers' own fears, reminding us of the fragile nature of life and relationships.