“Born Beneath Their Names”

They carved our blood in tablets of flame, Sang their victories into the stone, Every street still speaks their names Like I’ve never stood here alone. I lift my hands, they’re not my own, Every step feels pre-decided, I walk forward, but behind my eyes Stand giants, undefeated. To be descended from legends Is to live where the light can’t reach, Every triumph tastes like echoes, Every failure screams their speech. I’m measured by a memory I never chose to claim— To be descended from legends Is to kneel beneath their names. They say I should be grateful still, For the crown I didn’t earn, But they don’t hear the whispers say You’ll never be their turn. If I fall, I stain the story, If I rise, I only borrow, Their shadows own my yesterday And still demand tomorrow. To be descended from legends Is to fight ghosts in the sun, To prove you are more than bloodlines While the world counts what they’ve done. I don’t want their thrones or fires, I just want a name that’s mine— But to be descended from legends Is to live your life in their shadow all the time.