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My Mother at Sixty Six: Poem Explanation and Summary

Introduction
"My Mother at Sixty Six" is a poem by Kamala Das (also known as Kamala Suraiyya), a prominent Indian writer who wrote in English and Malayalam languages. The poem, first published in 1965, reflects on the speaker's emotional response to seeing her aging mother in a car ride through a quiet city street. The poem explores themes of mortality, filial love, and the passage of time.

Summary
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines and a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB). The speaker describes her mother's appearance and behavior in the car, contrasting her physical fragility with her inner strength and resilience. The speaker also reflects on her own feelings of loss and separation, as well as her awareness of the inevitability of death.

Explanations
Stanza 1: The speaker begins by describing the physical appearance of her mother, who is sitting next to her in the car. She notes that her mother's hair has turned grey, and that her face looks tired and lined. The speaker also observes that her mother is wearing a sari, which is a traditional Indian garment, and that she has closed her eyes, perhaps to rest or to avoid seeing the passing scenery.

Stanza 2: The speaker then turns to her own emotions, admitting that she feels a sense of loss and sadness as she watches her mother age. She imagines her mother's death, and wonders how she will cope with the absence of her mother's physical presence. The speaker also acknowledges that her mother is aware of her own mortality, and that she has faced many challenges and hardships in her life.

Stanza 3: In this stanza, the speaker shifts her focus to the present moment, as she watches the car pass through a quiet street. She notes that the buildings and trees are all "silent", suggesting a sense of stillness and calm. The speaker also observes that her mother is "smiling", despite her physical frailty, and that this smile represents a deeper sense of contentment and acceptance.

Stanza 4: The final stanza brings together the themes of mortality, love, and acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that death is inevitable, and that it will eventually separate her from her mother. However, she also recognizes the enduring bond of love between them, which transcends physical boundaries. The poem concludes with a powerful image of the mother and daughter holding hands, united in their shared journey through life.

Conclusion
"My Mother at Sixty Six" is a poignant and reflective poem that explores the complex emotions of aging and mortality. Through vivid imagery and subtle language, Kamala Das captures the essence of a mother-daughter relationship, and celebrates the enduring power of love in the face of loss and separation. The poem is a tribute to all mothers and their unwavering strength and resilience.