LAYER BY LAYER

The Nazis peel us like onions,

layer by layer.

Mothers

Fathers

Brothers

Sisters

Family

Friends.

Each time someone is ripped away

a sulfuric gas is released until

the aroma of our sadness stings.

We squeeze our eyes shut tightly,

hoping to burn their memory onto our corneas,

but it is too painful.

All we can do is cry.