Getting Out

Getting Out
Cleopatra Mathis

In this poem Mathis uses a little bit of foreshadowing to hint at the emotions of the speaker. "FM and full-blast/ blues, hours of guitar 'you gonna miss me/ when I'm gone'" (Mathis). This quote from a song hints that the speaker's husband would leave and their marriage would end. Later in the poem, their divorce is confirmed in the phrase "the lawyer's bewilderment" (Mathis). The quote above also hints that the couple would miss each other when they separated. As a whole, this poem is a reminiscence of the couple's marriage, which shows that the speaker does think about and miss her husband. "Taking hands/ we walked apart, until our arms stretched/ between us" (Mathis). This quote shows that even though they were separating, the couple still had some longing to be together.  In addition, the husband felt unhappy about their divorce. "And in the yearly letter, you're sure to say/ you're happy now" (Mathis). The man would not specifically say in each letter that he was happy if he was truly happy. He probably says this to hide his unhappiness and possibly to make his ex-wife feel jealous and want to be with him again. Even though their marriage ended, the couple still has some desire to be together.