when it's not worth dying for
in front of a screen
they sat
never daring to breathe
for fear that if they blink
the one they love the most
will die
before their eyes
in the heartless din
of the arena
capitol itching for more blood
and they will each
placate the viewers' bloodlust
while the light
will never
leave their
eyes
/
the arena calls again
and they know that
they will stand
side by side
as victors
once more
/
their feeble protests
fail to reach the capitol
another trip into the arena
/
their hopes are dashed
by the thud
of tools piercing skin
they promised
to fight together
and die together
and the cannon blasts twice more
