Point of View

“Things You Didn’t Put On Your Resumé” is told from the second-person point of view using the pronoun “you”. This is apparent right from the title, as well as the opening line: “How often you got up in the middle of the night” (Line 1). It uses the past tense voice to create a sense of retrospection; the speaker is looking back on a life well lived. The perspective remains consistent throughout, though it shifts slightly between objective and subjective; the speaker describes objective, utilitarian activities and then reflects, “it is, now that you think of it, rather impressive” (Line 18). Overall, the voice invites the reader into a shared experience of parenthood and maternal love.

Language and Meaning

The language of this poem is accessible and contemporary, with very little to challenge an average reader or even a non-native speaker. It’s not until the...