A boy of thirteen wears the pitch black pants br of German scouts. Some women look with glee br and try to drown his cries. They curse in chants. br They’re Jewish guards from State Security br who are too full of hate to want to hear br that he’s too young to be a Nazi, his face br the hairless face of innocence, a tear br on his cheek his only shield. And still, they race br to pock his tender flesh with cigarettes, br delighting Lilith-like in the cruel scene. br They almost feel the pangs of something higher, br but they have come this far without regrets: br They douse his light blond hair with gasoline br and free him with the mercy of their fire.