Do you remember this photograph?
In the United States, people have taken pains to banish it from the record of September 11, 2001.
The story behind it, though, and the search for the man pictured in it, are our most intimate connection to the horror of that day.
In the picture, he departs from this earth like an arrow.
Although he has not chosen his fate, he appears to have, in his last instants of life, embraced it.
If he were not falling, he might very well be flying.
He appears relaxed, hurtling through the air.
He appears comfortable in the grip of unimaginable motion.
He does not appear intimidated by gravity's divine suction or by what awaits him.
His arms are by his side, only slightly outriggered.
His left leg is bent at the knee, almost casually.
His white shirt, or jacket, or frock, is billowing free of his black pants.
His black high-tops are still on his feet.
In all the other pictures, the people who did what he did—who jumped—appear to be struggling against horrific discrepancies of scale..."
Although he has not chosen his fate, he appears to have, in his last instants of life, embraced it.
If he were not falling, he might very well be flying.
He appears relaxed, hurtling through the air.
He appears comfortable in the grip of unimaginable motion.
He does not appear intimidated by gravity's divine suction or by what awaits him. His arms are by his side, only slightly outriggered.
His left leg is bent at the knee, almost casually.
His white shirt, or jacket, or frock, is billowing free of his black pants.
His black high-tops are still on his feet.
In all the other pictures, the people who did what he did—who jumped—appear to be struggling against horrific discrepancies of scale..."
No comments:
Post a Comment