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Twelve

Inside my backpack
I carry everything
Gum, mints, tissues
Chapstick, lotion, Advil

I carry my laptop
I carry my chargers
Pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes

I carry the weight of 100 quizzes yet to be graded
I carry the fatigue of a 2nd-year teacher who hasn't has spring break yet
I carry the stress of a wedding that's 4 months away

I carry so much
It's hard to let others take the burden
But sometimes, I must put down my backpack
To let everything go
Only if for a weekend

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