Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

a queen is both: deadly & graceful, poised & ruthless. Quiet & cunning. A queen offers her hand to be kissed, & can form it into a fist while smiling the whole damn time.

& so I remember that to walk this world you must be kind but also fierce.

“Never let them see you sweat. & even if you have to forfeit, smile.”