Getting Out

Getting Out by Cleopatra Mathis

In this poem about a couple splitting up, Mathis adds an interesting aspect to the story by shifting between point of view. At some points the narrator is speaking as if speaking for more than one person, "We've kept to separate sides of the map" (Mathis 896). She then changes her point of view to singular, "I have the last unshredded pictures of our matching eyes and hair" (Mathis 896). This use of ambiguous pronoun usage helps define the ambiguous feelings felt by the couple enduring the breakup. They both wish to stay together, and they try through so many methods to heal their relationship. However, despite their best efforts, the cannot seem to find a thread to keep them strung together. It is as if they wish to stay together just for the idea of being in a relationship together, yet find no connection or longing for each other. Without that natural love between them, it makes their marriage very weak and unstable. Because they wanted so desperately for their relationship to work, they weep together as they are with the divorce lawyer.