She lay curled up on the ground, one scrawny hand held out as if begging, the other clutching a doll as ragged as she. But her mouth was open, her eyes wide, unblinking. There was a bullet hole in her forehead that looked like a third eye. A dark bruise on her upturned cheek. Gittel had such a dress once, he thought. That blue. Even as he walked on, his eyes filled with tears. A line of a poem sledgehammered into his startled mind. Dance on the streets of Heaven, for you shall never dance here again.
The scene captures a haunting image of a girl lying on the ground, her frail form appearing both vulnerable and tragic. One hand is outstretched as if pleading for help, while the other clings to a tattered doll, emphasizing her innocence despite the grim reality. Her wide, unblinking eyes and the bullet wound on her forehead create a stark image of loss and violence. The memories stirred in Gittel about a similar blue dress underline a sense of nostalgia and sorrow for what once was.
As he walks away, his tears reflect a deep emotional response to the tragedy he witnesses. The line from the poem resonates in his mind, poignantly highlighting the finality of the girl's situation and the harsh truth that she will never again experience joy or freedom. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the impact of war on the innocence of youth, leaving an indelible mark on Gittel's heart and perspective.
