My Mother at Sixty-six

The poem centers on the poet's

The poem centers on the poet's realization of her mother's advancing age and fragility. The mother is described as 'ashen like that of a corpse' and '

The poet refers to 'that old

The poet refers to 'that old familiar ache, my childhood's fear' - the deep-rooted anxiety about losing her mother that has persisted from childhood i

The poem uses powerful visual imagery

The poem uses powerful visual imagery like 'ashen like that of a corpse', 'pale as a late winter's moon', 'young trees sprinting', and 'merry children

The poet juxtaposes her mother's frailty

The poet juxtaposes her mother's frailty with images of vitality outside - young trees appearing to sprint and children playing merrily, highlighting

Despite her inner turmoil

Despite her inner turmoil, the poet only says 'see you soon, Amma' and 'smile and smile and smile', showing how we often hide our deepest fears to pro