Backbone

I used to sew the straps on my back pack
as they seemed to always rip,

maybe it's because
I used to fill my back pack with so many books
even the books
that weren't needed until later that week at school,

then
I used to complain that the bag was heavy
and my back hurt.

I used to think that carrying things
(I didn't need)
and fixing things
(that were always breaking)

were a part of my load

and now

even though I no longer stitch broken things
and the back pack is gone

my back still hurts.