Holocaust Poetry #3: 'Daniel' by Laura Crist

How is juxtaposition used in this poem to highlight an important theme of Holocaust literature?
It Highlights how fragile life is and how quickly life changed. It highlights the brutality of the holocaust.
How is descriptive language used to enhance the reader's reaction to the poem?

The use of words like funny doggy and pretty rock strengthen the innocence of the child and Little, laughter is then strongly juxtaposed by sheared and stripped for the gas chamber. The poem fills your mind with the sweet innocent thoughts and then the sudden, harsh transition from innocence to death is so quick that you don't have enough time to make the change and you feel shocked and it highlights the brutality of the holocaust.

Daniel
	Laura Crist

And the child held her hand
A child tiny for almost eight,
Deep blue eyes that dominated his face,
When he explained new events to her,
     that funny doggy,
     that pretty rock,
And the freckles on his cheek,
No one saw a sunrise more perfect,
     to her,
She so vividly smells the fragrance of
     his hair,
     his ears,
     his breath in the morning
She vividly hears that little heartbeat,
     that was hers
     always hers,
     and the laughter,
     that raspy little laugh,
     when he caught her in a conundrum.
All this,
But this is merely the surface,
As she watches her little God sheared,
     and stripped,
For the gas chamber.