I Cannot Remember My Mother
only sometimes in the midst of my play
a tune seems to hover over my playthings,
the tune of some song that she used to hum
while rocking my cradle.
Reflect and Respond
A child’s relationship with the mother is the strongest emotional bond. A mother gives love, care, comfort, and a sense of security. Her songs, touch, smell, and gaze stay with the child forever. Even small things like her cooking, lullabies, or her gentle look become unforgettable memories. These early experiences shape a child’s emotions, confidence, and the way they connect with others throughout life.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hover | Linger or remain near a place |
| hum | Sing a tune with your lips closed |
| cradle | A small bed for a baby |
| shiuli | A type of flower (coral jasmine) |
| morning service | Rituals conducted in a temple |
| gaze | Look steadily for a long time |
Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
a tune seems to hover over my playthings,
the tune of some song that she used to hum
while rocking my cradle.
the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air,
the scent of the morning service in the temple
comes to me as the scent of my mother.
of the distant sky, I feel that
my mother’s gaze on my face
has spread all over the sky.
| Stanza | Lines from the Poem | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “the tune of some song that she used to hum while rocking my cradle” | 👂 Auditory (hearing) |
| 2 | “the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air / the scent of the morning service in the temple” | 👃 Olfactory (smell) |
| 3 | “I send my eyes into the blue of the distant sky / my mother’s gaze on my face has spread all over the sky” | 👁️ Visual (sight) |
Poetic Devices & Understanding
“hum” — the word itself sounds like the action of humming.
The poem creates vivid pictures using all our senses — we can hear the tune hummed while rocking the cradle, smell the sweet fragrance of shiuli flowers and temple incense, and see the vast blue sky. These rich images help us experience the poet’s emotions and feel the mother’s loving presence.
…it has a smooth rhythm, beautiful imagery, gentle emotions, and a touching refrain. The use of sensory details (sound, smell, sight) and the repeated line “I cannot remember my mother” create a musical and heartfelt feeling even without rhyme.
The tone is nostalgic, longing, and tender. The poet lost his mother very early and cannot remember her face. Yet through a tune, a scent, and the sky, he feels her presence — making the tone full of love, sadness, and peaceful remembrance.
The title immediately creates a mood of sadness and longing — telling us the poet lost his mother very early. But as the poem develops, the mood becomes peaceful and loving, because the poet finds his mother in nature, in tunes, and in the sky.
Each time it is repeated, it leads into a new memory or feeling of her presence. The repetition adds emotion, rhythm, and musical beauty — and emphasises that although he cannot remember her face, her presence is felt everywhere.
Critical Reflection — Extract 1
…during his playtime / play.
C — It activates memories of the mother.
The hovering tune acts as a gentle reminder of the mother’s presence. While playing, the poet suddenly recalls the lullaby his mother used to hum while rocking his cradle. It brings back the warm, loving memory even though he cannot remember her face.
True — The poet says “only sometimes in the midst of my play” — it happens occasionally, not always.
Through his senses — a tune hovering over playthings, the smell of shiuli flowers and temple scent, and the still blue sky. These sensory experiences keep her memory alive in his heart, even though she is no longer with him.
Critical Reflection — Extract 2
B — The sky is a symbolic extension of the mother’s presence.
D — a sense of serenity (calmness and peace).
False — The effect is not tangible (physical); it is only a feeling. The poet feels his mother’s gaze has spread across the sky — it is symbolic and emotional, not real or visible.
The sky is wide and peaceful — just like a mother’s loving and calm gaze. It shows that his mother’s love is endless, eternal, and watches over him from everywhere. It gives him comfort and a feeling that she is always near.
The tone is peaceful and nostalgic because he feels his mother’s loving presence in the vast, still sky, which fills him with calm and emotional comfort.
Long Answer Questions
The refrain creates a deep emotional impact of loss, longing, and sadness. Each time it is repeated, the reader feels the poet’s pain of having lost his mother very early. However, it is always followed by a beautiful memory — showing that although he cannot remember her physically, her presence is alive in his heart.
Nature plays a very important role in keeping the mother’s memory alive. The shiuli flowers, autumn air, temple scent, and the wide blue sky all remind the poet of his mother. Nature acts as a bridge between the poet and his lost mother — through its sounds, smells, and sights, he feels her loving presence everywhere.
The poet sees the mother–child relationship as eternal, pure, and spiritual. Even though he cannot remember his mother’s face, her love continues to live within him through tunes, fragrances, and the sky.
Vocabulary — Sensory Words
| # | Word | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | flaming (lilies) | Visual |
| 2 | scents (of neem and champak) | Olfactory |
| 3 | sweetness | Gustatory |
| 4 | shrill (ecstasy of life) | Auditory |
| 5 | perfumes | Olfactory |
| 6 | essence | Olfactory |
| 7 | smooth | Tactile |
Writing Task — Diary Entry
Today was one of the most beautiful days of my life. Our school took us on a trip to the hill station of Pachmarhi, and I just had to write about it before going to sleep.
The moment our bus reached the top, I could feel the cool breeze brushing against my cheeks. The mountains stood tall and green, covered with soft mist. The smell of wet earth and pine trees filled the air — so fresh and pure that I took a deep breath and just smiled. I could hear birds chirping in the distance and the gentle sound of a waterfall flowing nearby.
We walked through narrow forest paths where sunlight peeped through the leaves, making golden patterns on the ground. When we reached the viewpoint, the entire valley stretched below us like a green carpet, with tiny houses scattered here and there.
The most magical moment was sitting by the waterfall at lunch. The cold water splashed on my feet, and I felt completely at peace — so happy, so free, and so connected to nature.
This trip taught me how beautiful and peaceful our country is. I will never forget the sights, sounds, and smells of Pachmarhi. It was truly a memory I will treasure forever.