Carrying the Physical and Metaphysical: A Student's Journey

Everyday high school student Michael Hickey carried the physical and metaphysical, as most people do. His brain wakes him up like an alarm clock in the morning, and the moment he rises to consciousness, the daily malaise that is life creeps up into him. Michael Hickey carries the physical, his weight, and the metaphysical. Per-usual, he does the same things everyday, carrying the same things everyday; in which, his journey begins.

5:30 AM. His backpack was undone. School supplies were seldom changed, with Michael’s backpack acting like a graveyard; if it was put in the pack at the start of the year, it would stay there permanently. He carried what was asked of him, a generic pencil pouch with writing utensils and colored pencils, a book to read, over 6 Five Star notebooks containing a multifarious amount of work, notes, and the like, a French textbook, (occasionally) an encumbering History book

(this he stopped carrying when he got back issues), a wallet containing identification information and various sundries, and his iPhone with headphones. There was also lunch. This could weight 20-27 lbs, and his back carried it all.

Accounting for all of this was practically clockwork, for his brain carries all of data. His cephalic region is carried by his cervical region and dorsal region, along with the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis, accounting for the upper and lower extremities. The bones and organs worked like a team, as each would not work without another. His entire body carries itself.

6:00 AM. Clothes were all the same to high school student Michael Hickey. His drawer was chock-full of t-shirts and shorts - antiquarian and new - creating a rainbow of possibilities. All of this did not matter however, as his choices were made with lackluster volition. He simply did not care; which was ironic, as he carried not caring voluntarily and intentionally. The malaise had reached its boiling point now, and he carried a headache.

6:30 AM. Michael’s stomach carried one thing: Cornflakes. He was lazy after all, and valued convenience over quality in the brisk rush that was preparing for school. The lunch he prepared always consisted of a peanut butter sandwich, various energy bars to stave off the malaise, chips, and some kind of fruit or vegetable. Carrying his backpack, body, organs, and bones, the door swung wide open, and he was en route to school.

7:00 AM. It was Spring. The sun was shining profusely, the grass was moist with dew, Crane Flies were abound, and the weather was temperate. The malaise would fight the beautiful conditions. Michael always would carry the malaise. He was like Atlas, carrying a world as punishment, condemned by forces out of his control. The world that was his emotions was a heavy and light, hellish and heavenly, and painful and soothing. He carried this ecosystem, a juxtaposing land with good and evil traits.

Life in this world was interesting, as the world around him shifted the ecosystem.

Michael was feeling negative to neutral most of the time. Sometimes things would happen that pleased him, such as a serene day, or a new discovery, but these were far and few. He carried a weak, sensitive, and tired mind, conditioned from the trauma of a rough childhood and bullying. This ultimately made him depressed; his depression gave birth to the malaise.

The malaise was alien entity, crafted by the most of eldritch and macabre creatures. It was not of the ecosystem, and Michael carried it unwillingly - he trudged through the same concrete steps, listening to wind blowing, along with the plethora of cars on the adjacent highway. His brain was the carrier, the hub of all of this mess. The brain carried the scars, the regrets, and the pain.

7:20 AM. All was not amiss. Through fortitude and perseverance, Michael forced himself to deal with his problems. Through this perseverance, he was able to overcome his issues, and got to school carrying his 20-27 lb backpack, body, and

mind.

Everyday high school student Michael Hickey carried his bag, structure, and emotions with him everywhere he went. It was arduous, miserable, and difficult. But he had to do it, and Michael embraced all of it. And with it, he entered the school to continue his journey