https://skippingstones.org A Multicultural Literary Magazine for Teens and Pre-Teens Wed, 31 Mar 2021 23:21:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://skippingstones.org/dare-i-say-y-me-atrevo-a-decir/ Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:57:20 +0000 https://lightgoldenrodyellow-baboon-517051.hostingersite.com/?p=1744 Dare I Say By Cassandra Martens Diaz, Mexican-Canadian, 17, Manitoba, Canada   I do not pronounce it with familiarity  I do not read it I do not spell it Dare I say I speak it at all    Pepper burns my tongue  I turn away from the heat  I do not take the spice Dare I say I have a taste at all   The Jalisco too small  Tucked away, unused, unworn Body stiff, and still  Dare I say I can dance at all    Though in my blood Though in my citizenship  It is not to be found in me Dare I say I am Spanish at all Y Me Atrevo a Decir por Cassandra Martens Diaz, 17, Manitoba, Canada   No lo pronuncio fácilmente  No lo puedo leer  No lo puedo deletrear Y me atrevo a decir que lo hablo   El ají quema mi lengua  Prefiero alejarme del chile No tolero el picante Y me atrevo a decir que lo saboreo   Mi traje de charra me queda chico Alzado, sin usarlo ni vestirlo  Cuerpo rigido, e inmóvil Y me atrevo a decir que bailo    A pesar que está en mí sangre A pesar que está en mí ciudadania  No lo he podido encontrar en mí Y me atrevo a decir que soy Latina Cassandra adds: "My family immigrated to Canada from Chihuahua, Mexico when I was very young. Since I was raised in a country that was culturally very different from Mexico, I have always felt detached from my extended family because I lack a lot of the experiences that they’ve had. It is important to me that I continue to work on my Spanish and learn more about my mom's culture.. I am just beginning to submit my work for publication. I was inspired by Jessica Wang’s heartfelt story submission, Xiang Xiang, published by Skipping Stones."

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