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

Kamala Das’s deeply moving poem, "My Mother at Sixty-six," captures a poignant moment of realization between a mother and daughter, exploring the universal themes of ageing, the fear of loss, and the inevitable pain of separation. The poem is a brilliant example of the poet’s sensitive understanding of complex human relationships and the unspoken emotions that often define them. The entire poem is beautifully woven into a single, flowing sentence, punctuated only by commas, representing a continuous stream of thought and the overwhelming nature of the poet's inner feelings. The narrative begins on an ordinary Friday morning as the poet is driving from her parents' home to the airport in Cochin. Sitting beside her in the car is her ageing mother, who is now sixty-six years old. As the mother dozes off with her mouth slightly open, the poet observes her face closely. She is struck by a sudden, sharp pang of pain when she notices that her mother's face looks pale, grey, and lifeless, closely resembling a corpse. This stark, lifeless image of her mother’s frailty forces the poet to confront the harsh reality of her mother’s advancing age and the inevitable truth of human mortality. Unable to bear this deeply depressing thought, the poet quickly shifts her attention to the vibrant world outside the car window. She looks at the young trees speeding past them, which appear to be eagerly sprinting, and watches energetic children joyously spilling out of their homes to play. These vibrant images of youth, boundless energy, and life sharply contrast with the stillness, ageing, and decay of her mother sitting inside the car. This deliberate shift in focus is a desperate attempt to distract her mind from the painful realization of her mother's approaching end. However, this emotional escape is only temporary. Once they safely reach the airport and complete the security check, the poet stands a few yards away and looks at her mother once more. The mother’s face now appears incredibly 'wan' and 'pale', much like a fading late winter's moon, which lacks brightness and warmth and is often obscured by mist or fog. Looking at this fading visage, the poet is hit by an old familiar ache—her deep-rooted childhood fear of losing her mother forever. Yet, despite the overwhelming turmoil of emotions and the heartbreaking fear of never seeing her mother alive again, the poet intentionally hides her true feelings. She puts on a brave front and parts with words of hope, simply saying, "see you soon, Amma." She simply smiles and smiles and smiles, desperately trying to reassure both herself and her mother that everything will be alright, masking her anxieties behind a prolonged expression.