For My Mother in Her Mid-90s by Ama Ata Aidoo: Poem and Analysis

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The Poem 

 For My Mother in Her Mid-90s

By Ama Ata Aidoo

Aunt.

 

Don’t ask

me how

I come to address my mother thus.

 

Long

complex, complicated stories:

heart-warmingly familial and

sadly colonial.

 

You know how

utterly, wonderfully

insensitive the young can be?

 

Oh no. We are not here talking adults

who should know better

but never do.

 

Aunt,

I thank you for

being alive today, alert, crisp.

 

Since we don’t know tomorrow,

see me touching wood,

clutching at timbers, hugging forests:

 

So I can enter young,

age, infirmities

defied.

 

Hear my offspring chirping:

“Mummy, touch plastic,

it lasts longer!”

 

O, she knows her mama well.

The queen of plastics a tropical Bedouin,

she must travel light.

 

Check out the wood,

feel its weight, its warmth

check out the beauty of its lines, and perfumed shavings.

 

Back to you, My Dear Mother,

I can hear the hailing chorus

at the drop of your name.

And don’t I love to drop it

here, there, and everywhere?

Not missing out by time of day,

 

not only when some chance provides,

but pulled and dragged into talks

private and public.

 

Listen to the “is-your-mother-still-alive” greeting,

eyes popping out,

mouth agape and trembling:

 

That here,

in narrow spaces and

not-much-time,

who was I to live?

Then she who bore me?

 

Me da ase.

Ye de ase.

 General Introduction

"For My Mother in Her Mid-90s" by Ama Ata Aidoo is a heartfelt poem that reflects on the poet's relationship with her mother. Aidoo uses vivid imagery, cultural references, and a conversational tone to explore themes of family, colonial history, aging, and the passage of time. The poem is rich with emotion, celebrating the enduring bond between mother and child while acknowledging the complex histories and personal experiences that shape their relationship.

 Title

The title "For My Mother in Her Mid-90s" immediately sets the tone for the poem, indicating a tribute to the poet's elderly mother. It suggests a deep respect and admiration for the mother's long life and the wisdom she embodies. The title also implies a reflection on the longevity and the rich experiences that come with living into one's nineties.

 Themes

1. Family and Respect:

   - The poet addresses her mother with the term "Aunt," showing a deep sense of respect and familial love. The lines "I thank you for / being alive today, alert, crisp" express gratitude for her mother's presence and vitality.

2. Colonial History:

   - The poem touches on the impact of colonialism with "sadly colonial," indicating how colonial history has intertwined with personal and familial narratives, shaping their lives in complex ways.

3. Youth and Insensitivity:

   - Aidoo reflects on the insensitivity of youth: "You know how / utterly, wonderfully / insensitive the young can be?" This theme underscores the contrast between the brashness of youth and the wisdom that comes with age.

4. Aging and Mortality:

   - The poem acknowledges the inevitability of aging and the uncertainties of life: "Since we don’t know tomorrow, / see me touching wood, / clutching at timbers, hugging forests." This imagery evokes a sense of seeking protection and stability in the face of aging and mortality.

5. Cultural Traditions and Modernity:

   - Aidoo juxtaposes traditional practices with modern realities: "Hear my offspring chirping: / 'Mummy, touch plastic, / it lasts longer!'” This contrast highlights the tension between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to contemporary life.

 Literary Devices

1. Imagery:

   - Aidoo uses vivid imagery to create a sensory experience: "check out the wood, / feel its weight, its warmth / check out the beauty of its lines, and perfumed shavings."

2. Irony:

   - The irony in "touch plastic, / it lasts longer!" contrasts the artificial permanence of plastic with the natural, yet transient, beauty of wood.

3. Repetition:

   - The repetition of "Aunt" emphasizes the speaker's respect and affection for her mother, reinforcing the familial bond.

4. Symbolism:

   - Wood symbolizes tradition, strength, and warmth, while plastic represents modernity and durability. These symbols contrast the values of different generations.

5. Tone:

   - The conversational tone of the poem makes it feel intimate and personal, as if the poet is speaking directly to her mother: "Long / complex, complicated stories."

6. Alliteration:

   - Aidoo employs alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem: "alive today, alert, crisp."

 Language and Mood

The language in the poem is conversational and intimate, creating a warm and reflective mood. Aidoo's use of direct address and personal anecdotes makes the poem feel like a heartfelt conversation between family members. The mood is a blend of gratitude, nostalgia, and reverence, highlighting the deep emotional connection between the poet and her mother.

 Context

Ama Ata Aidoo is a renowned Ghanaian author and playwright known for her works that explore themes of gender, family, and post-colonial identity. This poem reflects Aidoo's personal experiences and cultural background, touching on the intersection of personal and historical narratives. The references to colonialism and traditional practices underscore the broader socio-political context that has shaped the poet's life and relationships.

 Conclusion

"For My Mother in Her Mid-90s" is a poignant and reflective poem that honors the poet's mother and the complex, multifaceted relationship they share. Through rich imagery, cultural references, and a conversational tone, Aidoo explores themes of family, aging, and the impact of colonial history. The poem is a celebration of life, love, and the enduring bonds that connect us across generations.