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