The Stick

On Sunday night after dinner, I found a large walking stick outside Abott Hall and began carrying it through my treks up and down the mountain. No, I did not buy it from the gift shop for $45.99. Wild rumor. The following day, someone gave me the stellar, genius idea of having everyone sign the stick, so I immediately went in search of a sharpie. Shoutout to my advisor, Jocelyn, who gave me hers! I got to work and began asking anyone I came in contact with to sign the stick. If you were unable to sign, the stick will definitely make an appearance at CONA ‘24. I loved how something as simple as a stick allowed me to make so many connections and friendships with others from all over the United States. Additionally, in Texas round table meetings, we used it as ‘the talking stick’. Thank you, TSA, for allowing me to fly it back to Texas! It is currently my most cherished possession.

Sitting In Class waiting dying Don’t be overdramatic The clock on the wall- my life, my blood, Oh well Choosing my next decision

I am not a human but a vessel for the concept of time

I am human! Am I? Walking out of class, weight lifted from my shoulders

I feel the breeze through my hair, whispering sweet nothings the warm sunlight caressing my face

Mindlessly walking, my legs are not my own!

To find a cruel piece of sidewalk, grotesque to all eyes except mine Waiting for the companionship of another? But what do I see?

More of the cruel, cruel sidewalk

I want to lay my head here, but only for a second…. OW!

That always hurts.

The hollow, harsh feeling of laying my head onto the pavement is all I focus on Feeling the indents of the back of my head, marks of times before

Dull pain rushing through my brain, making me lose track of my thoughts, What if…

STOP! Why can’t you just let yourself sleep?

I can’t do this right now, I have places to go, people to see!

My thoughts clamoring together, loud, obnoxious, overwhelming Nonetheless, I find myself slowly starting to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz