Immaculate Conception

Bags were a big thing at school. At least it seemed that way to me. They were a huge thing. I got a bag from John's saddlewear when I was 12. An enormous, dark blue, nylon bag, with leather handles. How could I ever want another bag? It seemed big enough to disappear into. Big enough to invite your friends into. The smell inside, leather and rubber. Boy I used to load that thing up. All my school books went in, as well as my sports kit. It was literally my whole world. And we all used to flip our bags during the breaks, somersaulting them into the air, trying to get a clean landing on unforgiving concrete. Surprised when they landed on their ends, but knowing there was another bag, somewhere in the future.

 

December 2001