To Win a War

To win a war,

we lose

ourselves.

We sacrifice

our husbands,

wives, children,

parents for the sake

of a better

tomorrow.

We lose Portia's partner,

the one who could

coax a flame out of fabric,

the one who made a mockingjay appear

in a dress.

We lose Annie's husband,

the one who was brave,

who held up through two Games,

who was survived Snow's torture.

We lose Katniss's sister,

the one who was always the kindest,

who helped the starving, the wounded,

the girl blown apart by parachutes.

To win a war:
It costs everything you are.