What is the central theme of poem My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das?

In the poem "My Mother at Sixty-Six" by Kamala Das, the central theme revolves around the passage of time, aging, and the complex emotions and reflections of a daughter observing her aging mother.

Das explores the relationship between a mother and a daughter, highlighting the roles and sacrifices that mothers make for their children. The poem captures the bittersweet feelings of seeing a parent grow old, as the speaker witnesses her mother's physical and mental changes.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism to illustrate the aging process. Kamala Das examines feelings of love, gratitude, and nostalgia, while also acknowledging the sense of loss and impending mortality that comes with watching a parent age. The speaker grapples with the realization of her own mortality and the inevitable cycle of life.

Through themes of love, loss, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child, "My Mother at Sixty-Six" evokes a universal and deeply moving experience of witnessing a loved one's journey through the natural progression of time and the complexities of human life.