Middle Age

 Middle Age, is a poem by Kamala Das. It talks about the time when a mother becomes middle aged. It made me think of my own mother, and I thought I’d write this here. 

A mother becomes middle aged not when she gets wrinkles, but when her children talk back to her. When children yell back at her for every little thing. 

As a child we cried, to get mom to take us with her wherever she went. But now, we avoid her. We don’t want to take her where we go. Now we just say “you go alone” or “you don’t go”. 

Middle aged moms are needed only, to make tea, launder clothes, cook and clean. I am sure, our mothers crave to spend time with us, with much more intensity than what we wanted as a child. Perhaps, she may just touch our books and clothes just to feel our presence while we are away.

When I read this poem, I understood why my mom comes over to my kitchen with my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I understand why she looks at me, anticipating a “yes”, everytime she wants some help with the garden, when I respond with a “No”, without realizing, how my mother spent time reading comics and spending time with me when I was younger. 

My “middle aged” mom is actually old. She still cares for me with a smile. Thank you for that poem Kamala Das!