KNEE BRACE PRESS

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

Strength Training

By

Editor’s Note: This poem has been uploaded as an image to preserve formatting.

Straight for the jugular say it straight to my face I never asked you to say anything though now I cannot help to ask how do you see me? Without the lingering music of my steps this snapcracklepop melody for always trying always bracing never not doing and doing and doing What is left of this metaphorizing? You’ve already hit rock bottom. when? how old? wow. rockbottom huh? i am only twenty-six still young enough for the You’re so young line Watch me as I bend and extend breath in and breath out fire away & drop I, am still on the path to losing forever. Said: You’re so close to losing it. This gait this power to still walk this strength to still try I am so glad to have made it this far. Rockbottomrockbottom Rock Bottom Let me be a bit more motivating— There’s only up from here

Contributor

  • A chronically ill poet, artist, and editor, Avery C. Castillo’s art is fueled by 20+ years of living with a childhood autoimmune disease and chronic pain. A 2025 Picture Book Mentee with We Need Diverse Books, Avery writes to give voice to the unique, and often, invisible experience of growing up with Juvenile Arthritis. Her writing has been published in a variety of anthologies and literary magazines. She is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Visit writingsbyavery.com for more.