Poem:
Old people are the strongest not because they've seen enough but because they've felt enough
When I go through this heartwrenching process of transformation and my soul feels already tired,
There is this woman I look up to, who looks so much like strength to me
I'm tired of saying my mother
And by this I don't mean to be selfish or ungrateful
But I think I've found a stronger and even more influential woman than her
It's my Nani.
When she smiles with her half-broken teeth
and remains silent every time people disagree
I think it takes a lot of courage to admit,
“That my daughters are too grown up to need me”
And I'm afraid of that exactly
To do that to my mama and wait for the same thing to happen to me
Nani's in every family go through so much of the complex processes & emotions
that their grandchildren become enough to make them happy
I remember my summer visits to her and how she'd get upset every time I was leaving
To my nani,
who speaks odia, as if, she was born in Fakir Mohan Senapati's family,
I could never comprehend such level of vocabulary.
I might have read “Rebati” but I still couldn't shed tears as deeply as you did.
~Sailaxmi
Explanation:
Overall Theme
This poem explores the quiet, unacknowledged strength of grandmothers, especially a Nani whose resilience, silence, cultural depth, and emotional endurance shape the narrator more deeply than expected. It reflects transformation, generational bonds, fear of growing apart, and the tenderness of inheriting both love and pain from elders.
Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation
Stanza 1
“Old people are the strongest not because they've seen enough but because they've felt enough
When I go through this heartwrenching process of transformation and my soul feels already tired,
There is this woman I look up to, who looks so much like strength to me”
This stanza reflects on emotional strength gained through a lifetime of experiences. The narrator is undergoing a difficult transformation and feels exhausted, yet finds inspiration in an elder woman, her Nani, whose strength comes not from age alone but from deep emotional endurance. It sets the tone for a poem about inherited courage, silent resilience, and admiration for generations before us.
Stanza 2
“I'm tired of saying my mother
And by this I don't mean to be selfish or ungrateful”
In this short stanza, the narrator clarifies that their emotional journey has shifted. They still love and respect their mother, but they’ve discovered another female figure who influences them even more profoundly. The lines express a sensitive honesty, wanting to acknowledge Nani’s strength without diminishing the mother’s importance, revealing the complexities of affection within families.
Stanza 3
“But I think I've found a stronger and even more influential woman than her
It's my Nani.
When she smiles with her half-broken teeth
and remains silent every time people disagree
I think it takes a lot of courage to admit,
‘That my daughters are too grown up to need me’
And I'm afraid of that exactly
To do that to my mama and wait for the same thing to happen to me”
This stanza dives deep into vulnerability. The narrator sees Nani's strength in her broken smile, quiet acceptance, and maturity in letting her daughters live independently. Silence becomes a symbol of wisdom, not weakness. The narrator fears repeating this cycle, one day becoming distant from their own mother, showing how generational relationships carry both beauty and inevitable sadness.
Stanza 4
“Nani's in every family go through so much of the complex processes & emotions
that their grandchildren become enough to make them happy
I remember my summer visits to her and how she'd get upset every time I was leaving”
Here, the poem shifts to universal truth: grandmothers often find emotional fulfillment in their grandchildren after enduring years of life’s complexities. The narrator remembers childhood visits, recognizing how deeply Nani cherished those moments. Her sadness during farewells shows the depth of her attachment, highlighting how grandchildren become a source of healing, joy, and continuation.
Stanza 5
“To my nani,
who speaks odia, as if, she was born in Fakir Mohan Senapati's family,
I could never comprehend such level of vocabulary.
I might have read ‘Rebati’ but I still couldn't shed tears as deeply as you did.”
The final stanza honors Nani’s cultural richness, especially her mastery of Odia language. Comparing her speech to the family of a renowned writer, Fakir Mohan Senapati, elevates her presence. The narrator admits that even reading classic literature cannot match the emotional depth with which Nani feels and expresses life. It ends with love, admiration, and reverence for her wisdom.
What is the poem about?
This poem honours a grandmother (Nani) as a quiet, resilient presence during the narrator’s transformation. It explores generational strength, tenderness, and fear of aging, contrasting maternal and ancestral influence. Personal memories, language, and cultural detail build emotional intimacy, celebrating elders who witness and shape our inner lives and guide us.
Who is Nani in the poem?
Nani is the narrator’s grandmother, a stoic, loving figure rooted in Odia culture. She represents quiet endurance, ancestral wisdom, and emotional labor, choosing silence over dispute and finding joy in grandchildren. Her half-broken smile and language evoke authenticity, cultural memory, and a model of strength the narrator deeply admires and humility.
Why contrast mother and nani?
The contrast highlights different kinds of maternal influence: a mother’s immediate caregiving versus a nani’s generational perspective. The narrator admires Nani’s dignified acceptance of change, fearing inevitable distance. This contrast deepens emotional complexity, acknowledging gratitude while discovering a new, quieter source of strength and belonging that reshapes personal identity today.
How does language play a role?
Odia language marks cultural specificity and ancestral lineage within the poem. The narrator admires Nani’s rich vocabulary, which surpasses literary familiarity and evokes deeper feeling. Native speech functions as emotional inheritance, unlocking memory, empathy, and a visceral understanding that certain truths and sorrows are communicated honestly in one’s home tongue.
Can this poem resonate with readers outside Odia culture?
Yes, its core themes of aging, intergenerational love, and quiet resilience are universal. Specific Odia details enrich the poem without alienating readers; they invite curiosity and empathy. The personal voice makes emotions accessible, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to reflect on their elders, family bonds, and cultural inheritance worldwide connection.
