The poet in the poem 'My Mother at Sixty Six' smiles and smiles because of the mixed emotions she feels while watching her mother sleeping in the car. The following are the reasons why she smiles and smiles:

Mixed Emotions

The poet's mother is sleeping in the car, and the poet is watching her. The poet is filled with mixed emotions, including love, sadness, and fear. She feels love for her mother, who is getting old and frail. At the same time, she is sad because of the thought that her mother will eventually die, and she will lose her forever. The fear of losing her mother makes her smile as she tries to hide her emotions.

Irony

The poet's smile can also be seen as ironic because she is trying to conceal her emotions, but her smile gives her away. Her mother is sleeping peacefully, unaware of her daughter's emotions, and the poet is trying to hide her feelings from her mother. The irony of the situation makes her smile.

Acceptance

The poet's smile can also be seen as a sign of acceptance. She accepts that her mother is getting older and that she will eventually die. By smiling, she is trying to come to terms with her mother's mortality and the inevitability of death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the poet in the poem 'My Mother at Sixty Six' smiles and smiles because of the mixed emotions she feels while watching her mother sleeping in the car. Her smile is a way of concealing her emotions, accepting her mother's mortality, and acknowledging the irony of the situation.