Question

What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

Answer 1

Hint: The above question is from the chapter 'My Mother at Sixty Six', written by Kamala Das who is known for her originality, versatility and the indigenous flavour of the soil. In the poem, the poet is noticing how old and worn out her mother is my life and is fearful that she might not meet her mother again even though she does not dare to voice it.

Complete answer:
In the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’, Kamala Das is fearful and in pain due to her mother’s old age; to death life.

Her mother’s face is pale and unhealthy having lost the spark of life and there was also an expression of pain on her wrinkled face caused by the worries and anxieties of life. This sight of the greyish pale face of her mother triggers the poet's fear about her mother's last years of life and the upcoming destiny of death.

The poetess feels pain on seeing the pale and corpse-like face of her mother and it’s said that her old familiar pain or the ache returns. Perhaps she has experienced this fear since her childhood. She realizes that her mother's face has become like the withered moon of the winter season. Also, the thought of parting with her mother distresses her. Even her smiles at the end are the symbols of helplessness of what is inevitable.

Ageing is a natural process and both time and ageing spare none. She knew that the time and ageing have not spared the poet’s mother and may not spare her as well. With this ageing, separation from this world and death is inevitable.

Note: ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ is a poem of fourteen lines written as a single sentence; this is called enjambment. The poem is based on the theme of old age and the fear of loss and separation associated with it. The poet is feeling guilty about not being able to stay with her mother in her old age. She wishes for the lost beauty, happiness and youthfulness of her mother to return. But on the other hand, she also accepts the reality and realizes her mother’s need for her help in the coming days.