My Bag

I bought this bag for the things I carry

and for the weight of this calling,  

which bows my back , strains my hips, 

flattens my arches.

and my furrows my brow.

I carry the symbols of my job;

my name bag and paw-print-labeled keyring,

dangling the key to school, classroom, 

a computer cart,

and my life from morning to dusk.

I carry the tools of my trade;

loose paper clips,  post it notes, piles of pens,

(felt tip, ball point, permanent 

and impermanent markers)

for jotting notes on papers, overhead film, triplicate forms

big white paper taped to the wall, notes, reminders, or hall passes.

          I carry my books

my Kindle and O’Brien’s paperback,

pleasure and professional amalgamated

          

I carry a need to be prepared

at all times for all things for teacher and for student who need a cough drop, writing “implement” tissue, rubber bands, bottle of water, granola bar, or lunch money.

I carry remedies for the tensions of the days,

two packs of gum to freshen lunch mouth or sweeten speech;

I carry headache pills, lip balm and a emery board,

to smooth the roughness from the edges.

   

I carry my wallet enfolding one photograph of my grandson, my driver’s license 

identifying me as an organ donor

I carry a red phone connecting me to my family and friends

I carry soft worn black leather gloves which once covered my mother’s hands,

all reminders that beyond these school wall,

another life awaits in a space to breathe

and simply be….

 (written in concert with my students during our considerationof Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried)