Question

Why does the poet smile and what does she say while bidding goodbye to her mother?

Answer 1

Hint: The poem "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is about the poet's love connection with her mother when she was sixty-six years old. The narrative revolves around the author's mother, who is growing elderly and fearful of being separated from her daughter. It perfectly captures the sweetness of a mother-daughter relationship.

Complete answer:
Last Friday morning, the poet was driving to the Cochin airport from her parents' home. Her mother sat across from her at the supper. At the time, she was 66 years old. The old woman was fast asleep. Her mouth was still open. Her face was wrinkled and her skin was pallid. The colour was an ashy grey. It seemed to be dead as if it were a corpse. Her heart ached as she saw her mother's dead and withering face. The elderly lady looked to be lost in thought. The poet's attention shifted from her mother to the window.

Because her head was full of thoughts and worried that she would not be able to see her mother alive the next time she visited the city, the poet could do or say nothing except smile at her mother. Her anguish was mirrored in her grin, which was simple and devoid of genuine joy.

Note: My Mother at Sixty-six is about growing older and the fear of loss and separation. The poetess is heartbroken as she observes her mother's deterioration and feels the anguish of separation as she considers her mother's death. She pines for her mother's youth and beauty, which she thinks she has lost.