As she was driving away from her parents’ home on the Friday before, she
noticed her mother lying quietly beside her, her mouth slightly open and
her face drained of color, almost corpse-like. In that instant, a wave of grief
struck her as she realized that her mother had grown old and would not be
with her forever. To escape that deeply depressing moment, even if only for
a short while, she turned her gaze toward the young trees spinning in the
breeze and the children spilling out of their homes—images that reflected
vitality, renewal, and excitement.
However, a short distance away, at the airport security check, she looked at
her mother once again and was startled by how pale and fragile she
appeared. This sight made her confront the reality of her mother’s age and
vulnerability. Her mother now resembled late winter, a symbol of life
nearing its end, while the surrounding signs of spring represented rebirth
and continuity. This stark contrast forced her to accept that her childhood
fear was becoming real—that one day she would be separated from her
mother forever.
What had once felt temporary was now turning permanent. Aware of this
painful truth, she chose to end the moment on a hopeful note. She smiled—
again and again—so she could preserve the warmth of her childhood
memories and carry them with her into the future.
This poem is written in first person and is a lyrical idiom.
The poem is largely structured around the idea of movement, which
appears throughout, beginning with the very first line that describes
driving from one place to another. There are three major instances of
movement in the poem.
The first instance occurs during the car journey. While the vehicle moves
swiftly forward, the mother sitting inside remains physically still, fragile,
and visibly aged. This contrast between motion and stillness highlights the
slow, inevitable pace of aging and reflects the mother’s physical and
emotional decline.
The second instance of movement takes place at the airport. The act of
departure symbolizes not only the poet’s physical journey away from
Kerala, but also a deeper emotional separation. It suggests the poet’s
gradual detachment from her mother’s life and the realization that she has
not been able to spend enough time with her.
The third instance occurs when the poet looks out of the window and
witnesses images of her childhood seemingly passing by. This movement
triggers memories and helps her momentarily escape her distress. It forces
her to reflect on the life her mother is currently living and to compare it
with her own. Through this reflection, she longs for the innocence and
happiness of her childhood, which briefly uplifts her and allows her to
cherish those memories.
At the beginning of the poem, the poet presents an image of a disturbed,
aging mother inside the car. Although there is little movement within the
car itself, the vehicle continues to move forward, creating a strong contrast
between internal stillness and external motion. Through this contrast, the
poet conveys her deep fear of losing her mother and the emotional pain that
accompanies this realization.
The major themes of the poem include the loss of childhood, separation
between parents and children, nostalgia, the poet’s love and concern for her
mother, and the uncertainty of death.
The poem also makes effective use of literary devices. Personification is
seen in the images of the “sprinting trees” and the “children spilling out of
their homes,” which emphasize vitality and movement. The simile
comparing the mother’s pale face to a “winter’s moon” symbolizes the
nearing end of life. One of the most significant poetic elements is the
repetition of the word “smile” towards the end of the poem. This repetition
highlights the inevitability of separation, yet also reveals the poet’s desire
to believe that her mother will continue to live on in her heart, sustained by
hope and memory.