My Mother at 66: Poem by Kamala Das

Poem Overview

• The poem "My Mother at 66" is by Kamala Das, who also publishes under the name Madhavi Kutti.
• It explores themes of aging, the fear of losing a loved one, and the complex emotions associated with these experiences.
• The poem revolves around the poet's observations of her mother's aging and her fear of losing her.
• It touches on the themes of advancing age, the fear of loss and separation, and the emotional turmoil experienced when witnessing a parent's aging.

Setting and Initial Observation

• The poet is driving from her parents' home to Cochin, on a Friday morning.
• She observes her mother sitting beside her in the car, dozing with her mouth open.
• The poet compares her mother's face to that of a corpse, noting its pale and lifeless appearance (similie).
• This realization of her mother's age and potential loss causes the poet pain.

Shifting Focus and Contrasting Images

• To distract herself from these painful thoughts, the poet looks out of the car window.
• She sees "young trees sprinting," and children "spilling out of their homes."
• The fast-moving trees symbolize time passing and the rapid approach of old age.
• The children represent youth, happiness, and the vibrancy of life, a contrast to the mother's aging state.
• The phrase "trees sprinting" is an example of personification, as trees cannot literally run.
• The contrast between the mother's aging and the vibrant imagery outside uses the poetic device of a metaphor.

Airport Scene

• After the airport security check, the poet, standing a few yards away, looks at her mother again.
• Her mother looks pale and sick, compared to a "late winter's moon" (similie).
• The poet feels the familiar ache, which is her childhood fear of losing her mother.
• "Airport security" is an example of alliteration within the poem.
• The poet attempts to hide the pain by smiling and reassuring her mother that they will meet again soon, saying "See you soon, Amma" - This is a demonstration of the bond between mother and daughter.
• "Smile, smile, smile" is an example of repetition within the poem.

Poetic Devices and Structure

• The poem is written as a single sentence, representing a continuous stream of thought.
• Simile which uses "like" or "as" for comparison is used to compare the mothers apearance and the late winter moon
• The poem employs devices such as simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, and repetition.
• Repetition is when a word is repeated, as in the case of smile.
• Alliteration is when a sound or letter is repeated at the start of consecutive words.
• Personification is when human characteristics are attributed to non-human elements, as in trees sprinting.
• Simile is the comparison of two things using "like" or "as" a face compared to a corpse, a face compared to the winter moons.
• A metaphor is a subtly implied comparison between two things.