And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.

I will remember this, thought Ender, when I am defeated. To keep dignity, and give honor where it's due, so that defeat is not disgrace. And I hope I don't have to do it often.

It's what I was born for, isn't it? If I don't go, why am I alive?

I will love you forever, he thought. I am lying, he thought, and this time he was right

someone's sent a loving note in lines of returning geese and as the moon fills my western chamber as petals dance over the flowing stream again I think of you the two of us living a sadness apart a hurt that can't be removed yet when my gaze comes down my heart stays up

Poke gave him life. Ender gave it meaning.

Sometimes lies were more dependable than the truth.