Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. I wrote the following a while back but chose to post it today.

Vanishing Point

I wonder how many times I have looked at that photo.
Iconic, in black and white forever, the parallel rails
disappearing into a geometric
vanishing point through the little entrance tunnel,
under the cupola,
(such a fancy name for the architecture of a Death Camp)
the giant armlike extensions of the building
as if welcoming, no embracing, countless boxcars stuffed
with useless old men, frail women, gypsies and homos,
young mothers clutching tight to children and a piece of luggage.
What did they think? Oh, we will work at the camp,
and be fed and sleep in warm beds.
Further in, the gate proclaims
“Arbeit macht frei.”
Work makes you free.
Such a noble German proverb.
It should have said, like Dante’s gates to Hell,
“Abandon hope all ye who enter.”
The only way to freedom was up the chimneys.
Another vanishing point.