An interesting take on third-world poverty (or, for that matter, any-world poverty; the "hot place" line suggests third-world to me though). In many ways it really IS like a twisted game. Excellent use of imagery, and the voice is interesting too, how the narrator almost seems EXCITED about this game, as if s/he either doesn't grasp or doesn't care how morbid the game is. Truly sinister. For some reason I imagine the narrator having a Victorian English accent, though that's probably just me being weird. -.-

I immediately thought of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because in some respects I see aspects of the theme of the book here. But the last two stanzas for me really hit home the real message, poverty which is the real life 'hunger games'.

I really liked this piece because it presents this serious subject in such a new perspective which I find really interesting. I also thought that you approached the subject well. Of course I could be getting the message of the poem wrong but for me that's what I see it as.

I seem to have run out of words to type but I genuinely liked this piece. The flow, imagery and theme were perfectly executed in my opinion. However, I don't feel you should have the ellipsis because it slows the pace down and I honestly don't think it's needed. Nonetheless it was just a little suggestion in an otherwise faultless piece.

Wow. This poem is very disturbing, but powerful. I'm definitely going to remember this for some time.

It reminds me of the Suzanna Collins novel. Great piece, I liked the final stanza, it was shorter than the rest and definitely made the impact.