Born of Pain or Born of Privilege
This poem is for my friend Lenny and all the other Lenny’s who have faced down racism and hatred. She was born of pain—poor, Black, and forgotten by the systems meant to protect her. Raised in a world that mistook her resilience for rebellion, she learned to navigate life with scars no one saw and strength no one acknowledged. Lenny didn’t grow up with privilege; she grew up with survival. This poem is her voice—a reflection of the fire she walked through just to be heard. Born of Pain or Born of Privilege by Adena M’lynn Were you born of pain or born of privilege— did the world greet you with lullabies or locks? Did your crib come with silver spoons or warnings not to cry too loud? I was born where the screaming didn’t stop, where love was rationed like powdered milk, where bedtime stories came with bruises and hope was something you had to steal. You— you speak of trauma like it’s a TED Talk. Like survival is a trend you tried on once for empathy’s sake. But some of us learned to tie...