My Mother at Sixty Six
by Kamala Das
About the poet
Kamala Das (1934-2009) born in Malabar, Kerala
was recognized as one of India’s best poets. Her
works are known for their originality, versatility and
the indigenous flavour of the soil. Kamala Das has
published many novels and short stories in English
and Malayalam under the name ‘Madhavikutty’.
versatility- adaptibility
indigenous- native
Introduction
The poem brings out the complexity of most human relationships. The
poet had gone to meet her mother and was driving back to the airport.
On the way, she notices the pale face of her mother and is struck with an
instant realization that her mother is very old. This upsets the poet very
deeply and portrays a sensational separation of a mother and a daughter.
This is a confessional poem that presents the common feelings
daughters have for their mothers. The poet expresses her apprehension
over losing her mother if the old woman dies.
Apprehension- fear that something unpleasant is going to happen
Poem
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 realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away,
doze- a short, light sleep
ashen- pale like ash
corpse- dead body
Explanation
While driving from her parent’s home to Cochin, Kamala Das notices her
mother who was sitting by her, sleeping with her mouth open. She closely
observes her and presents her image before us.
She compares her mother’s face with a dead body. There was a sudden
fear and pain which crops up in the poet’s mind and she realizes that her
mother is old now and could pass away leaving her all alone. The reality is
hard to accept and at the same time, the realization is alarming.
Poem
and looked out at Young Trees
sprinting, the merry children
spilling out of their homes,
sprinting- running
spilling-to come out quickly
Explanation
The poet puts her thoughts aside and looks out to see, to distract herself.
The life outside is contradictory to her mind and thoughts. The scene
outside the window is full of energy and youth. She notices the trees that
her car is going past and they appear to be moving at an equally fast pace
by themselves. She also notices children pouring out of their houses
excitedly.
Poem
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,
wan – colourless
familiar- known
ache- pain
Explanation
After the security check at the airport, Kamala Das looks back at her
mother standing a few yards away, looking pale and grey like the winter
moon. The poet senses a familiar pain and childhood fear of the thought
of losing her mother. As a child, she might have thought that someday
her mother was going to leave her alone.
Poem
but all I said was, see you soon,
Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and
smile......
Explanation
Filled with sorrow and fear, she bids her old mother goodbye and keeps
smiling to hide her real feelings. The smile does not emerge from the best
memories she had with her mother. It is signaling her hidden despair.
She was not sure whether she could see her again or not. All she had was
hope, realization, and a frail determination to lead her life on her own.
