A place for stories about chronic illness, disability, mental health, and neurodivergence.

A Villanelle for the Utensils

By

Yes, your life’s worth shines in the silverware drawer
spoonie, forky, knifey – scoop, jab, kill
and yes, your flair shines in a finished chore.

Forkies of piercing intelligence, always doing more
divergent thinkers, problem solvers, up for any thrill
yes, it’s true commerce is king in the silverware drawer.

Knifies of swashbuckling enthusiasm to settle every score
discerning wit, the original tool and cherished still
and true, efficiency, price, place first with any chore.

Spoonies have health struggles in the fore
at times lack the vigor and vitality to fit the bill
true, there’s a lack of spoons in the silverware drawer.

The need to curl up in bed screams from every pore
spoonies know the way; have to work up the will
and true, we’re just grateful to finish any chore.

Society values productivity at its core
with an invisible illness, others imply you’re a shill
yes, your life’s worth shines in the silverware drawer
and yes, your flair shines in a finished chore.

Contributor

  • Christa Fairbrother, MA, is a Florida-based writer living with chronic illnesses. Her poetry has appeared in, Honeyguide Magazine (which nominated her for a Pushcart Prize), Réapparition Journal, and more. She’s also the author of the multiple award-winning book Water Yoga (Singing Dragon, 2022). She’s excited about an upcoming residency at The Sundress Academy for the Arts and participating in the 2024 Writers in Paradise workshop.