The poem “My Mother at Sixty-Six” by Kamala Das is part of the CBSE Class 12th NCERT English Flamingo book. It is an emotionally evocative poem that reflects the poet’s deep love, concern, and anxiety for her aging mother.
The poem captures a simple yet poignant moment during a car journey when Kamala Das sees her mother dozing off and realizes the inevitability of aging, mortality, and separation. The poet uses vivid imagery and similes, such as comparing her mother to a “late winter’s fire” and a “frail bark”, to evoke feelings of vulnerability and tenderness.
For CBSE Class 12 students, this poem is important for summary, theme, analysis of poetic devices, and important questions. Key themes include parental love, the passage of time, fear of loss, and human emotions. Understanding this poem helps students appreciate the depth of personal and familial relationships in literature.
The poem encourages readers to cherish loved ones and value every moment with them.
