9/11 Photo - The Falling Man

I'm looking at the picture and I imagine that man screaming FREEDOM almost in a rebellious way before jumping into the unknown.

I don't know if he's scared, maybe he is ... but he doesn't want to show a shadow of fear, not even to Death itself.

He's falling so fast, is perfectly vertical, going straight to the ground. Only a couple of seconds and everything will end. Outside is a beautiful day and his falling feels like flying. Maybe he thinks this is a good day to die.

Just like a soldier cornered by the enemy ... to proud to let himself killed by them. They will never catch him alive. He will not give them that satisfaction. It's not suicide, it's COURAGE. He didn't lost the battle, he won.

Something died inside all the good people at the same time as this powerful man lost his life. I'm not an American, but I would be proud if I were one. Please, change the world, make it a better place !

I Have a Rendezvous with Death ( a poem by Alan Seeger )

I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.

It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.

God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear...
But I've a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.

( Falling Man photo made by Richard Drew, Raising the Flag photo made by Thomas E. Franklin )