Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

“Never, ever, let them see you sweat, negra.

Fight until you can’t breathe, & if you have to forfeit, you forfeit smiling, make them think you let them win.”

Dreams are like the pieces of fluff that get caught in your hair; they stand out for a moment, but eventually you wash them away, or long fingers reach in & pluck them out & you appear as what everyone expects.