The Walk to School/My Backpack of Pain

Pain
So common so hated
So unoriginal and surrounding
So persistent that we have to just get used to it
Accept that it is there

I've gotten used to my pain

I've gotten used to my pain like I've gotten used to carrying my backpack
Every weekday morning is the same
Every weekday morning I walk 15 minutes to school
Every weekday morning I walk with a 20 pound bag rested on my shoulders

This backpack it weighs me down
This backpack makes my arrival time later
This backpack can sometimes cause me physical pain

Nonetheless, I’m used to it
I can either block it out, or tolerate it’s existence

Because I know it needs to be there
I know that there’s no getting rid of it
I know that without that backpack I wouldn't be prepared for the joys that school brings me

Yes, I would be more comfortable walking without it
Yes, I would get there faster without it
Yes, most of the time I hate that backpack
Yes, I would probably complain less without it
Yes, my life would be easier without it…

But without that backpack
I would never learn
I would never understand why it's so joyous to walk without it
I would never be prepared

So I have accepted that my backpack is there