"Getting Out" ~by Cleopatra Mathis

(#7)
After a year of marriage, a couple goes through a painful divorce; however, they both secretly still love each other and find it hard to say goodbye

The poem describes the rough relationship a couple shares. They spent a year together married; however, "That year we hardly slept, waking like inmates who beat the walls." Even while they were together, there were problems. Neither of them would mention them though; they kept quiet about the problems and "the silent work of the tightening heart." The poem also describes the harsh fights the couple had. "Finally locked into blame, we paced that short hall, heaving words like furniture." They both could not stand the silence anymore, and all of the problems built up inside of them. Eventually, they ended up fighting and blaming each other for all of their problems that had piled up. However, the last stanza presents a different side of the relationship. Although the couple fights and disagrees, it is clear that they still care about each other. They still write to each other yearly to say they are happy now, but if they had truly moved on then they would not need to send this yearly message. The end also mentions "the lawyer's bewilderment when we cried, the last day. Taking hands we walked apart, until our arms stretched between us. We held on tight, and let go." This farewell is not the typical goodbye after a divorce. The couple is afraid to let go and separate from each other; therefore, clearly they still care about each other.