Possible answer:

My Mother at Sixty-Six: Overview

"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a poignant poem by Kamala Das, in which the speaker describes a car journey with her aging mother to the Cochin airport. The poem explores themes of mortality, love, filial duty, and identity, as well as the contrast between the natural world and the urban landscape, and the fleeting nature of human connections.

My Mother at Sixty-Six: Why is she at the airport?

The main reason why the speaker and her mother are at the airport is not explicitly stated in the poem, but can be inferred from the context and the clues given in the text. Here are some possible reasons why she is at the airport:

- Leaving for a trip: The mother may be departing for a journey, either alone or with someone else. The poem mentions her "sari's edge" and her "face" as visible through the window of the car, which suggests that she is seated inside the vehicle and looking out. The speaker also mentions the "flashing landscapes" and the "faint / uncertain, hesitant sun" as they travel, which create a sense of speed, movement, and uncertainty.
- Receiving a visitor: The mother may be waiting for someone to arrive at the airport, either a family member or a friend. The poem does not mention any other passengers in the car or at the airport, but it hints at the possibility of other people waiting or moving around, such as the "trolley" and the "uniformed man" who "pushes" it, and the "black sky" that "settles down" on the terminal. The speaker also describes the mother's "eyes" as "searching for me" and "yet not finding me", which suggests that she is looking for someone who is not present or visible.
- Saying goodbye: The mother may be bidding farewell to someone who is leaving from the airport, such as the speaker or another relative. The poem contains several hints of separation and loss, such as the "thin stream" of tears on the mother's face, the "lonely cloud" that "floats" above them, and the "pale sky" that "dwindles". The speaker also reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, as she imagines her mother "drifting away / From my side, like a pale, waning moon" and wonders "how soon, how soon".

My Mother at Sixty-Six: Implications and Interpretations

The reason why the mother is at the airport is not as important as the emotional and psychological impact of the journey on both her and the speaker. The poem conveys a sense of tenderness, empathy, and vulnerability, as the speaker observes her mother's physical frailty and emotional fragility, and tries to comfort her in various ways. The poem also shows the speaker's own anxiety and fear of losing her mother, as well as her sense of guilt and duty towards her. The poem thus raises several questions and themes that are relevant to human experience, such as:

- How do we cope with aging, illness, and mortality, as well as the loss of our loved ones?
- How do we balance our individual desires and needs with our responsibilities and obligations towards our family and community?
- How do we negotiate our identity and sense of belonging in a changing world, where traditional values and customs