Business Casual in a Bag

We choose what we will carry 
Each item with a bewildered care 
Misunderstanding the concept 
Of weight 
Packing it mindfully 
In an unknown container 

Learning the meaning of 
"Heavy" 
We shoulder 
The weight 
Of what we
Ourselves 
Chose 

Before 
We know better 
We blame others 
If it is hard 
To bear 

Later 
We learn 
To adjust the straps 
Settle into the burden 
Teach our legs to pump out miles 
Regardless 

Still later 
We learn 
The weight 
Is fictional 
The burden 
Real only 
In our minds 

Finally 
We realize 
We are 
The burden