My Mother at Sixty-six is Chapter 9 of the Flamingo textbook for Class 12 English. This is a short but powerful poem written by Kamala Das, one of India’s most well-known poets. In just a few lines, the poem captures the deep emotions of a daughter who realises that her mother is ageing and may not live forever. The poet shares a small but emotional moment while travelling with her mother, observing her pale, tired face, and suddenly becoming aware of the fear of separation. It’s a very relatable and heart-touching poem, especially for those who have seen their parents grow old before their eyes.
I chose to write about this poem because students often skip it thinking it’s too short or easy. But this poem actually carries a lot of meaning, and in board exams, the questions asked from this poem usually require personal reflection and understanding of emotions. It helps students learn how to express feelings in words, something which NCERT gives importance to in senior classes. Also, it’s important to understand how poets use simple language to express deep thoughts. That’s what makes Kamala Das’s writing special. So here’s a full breakdown of the poem along with key meanings and the official PDF download link.
Summary of My Mother at Sixty-six by Kamala Das
The poem begins with the poet driving to the airport with her mother. Her mother is sitting beside her, dozing off. As the poet glances at her, she notices how pale and weak her mother looks—just like a corpse. This sudden realisation makes her feel sad and afraid.
To distract herself from these thoughts, she looks outside the car window and describes the world passing by—trees sprinting and young children playing. This contrast between youth and old age shows how time keeps moving forward, and how ageing is natural.
When they reach the airport and it’s time to say goodbye, the poet again looks at her mother. She feels the same sadness she used to feel as a child when she was afraid of losing her mother. But instead of showing her emotions, she smiles and waves goodbye with hope.
Main Themes of the Poem
- Aging and Mortality – The central theme of the poem is the fear of losing a loved one due to old age.
- Parent-Child Bond – It shows the deep emotional connection between the poet and her mother.
- Time and Change – The poem reminds us that time moves on, and change is unavoidable.
Poetic Devices Used
| Poetic Device | Example in the Poem |
|---|---|
| Simile | “her face ashen like that of a corpse” |
| Contrast | Between the old mother and young children |
| Symbolism | “Trees sprinting” symbolises life moving fast |
| Repetition | “smile and smile and smile” shows hidden pain |
Download PDF – My Mother at Sixty-six Class 12 Flamingo
If you want to read the complete poem with all back questions and explanations, you can download the official NCERT PDF from this website.
NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 9: My Mother at Sixty-six
