Saturday, early evening. I find this photo montage taped to the belvedere on Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Rain has spread the colors all over, but the text is clear: a woman by the shore was watching this crouched man, perched on the side of the bridge. Unsure, hesitant, curled up with his head between his knees, he sits there for a few minutes. Then, he looks up, rises to his feet ...and jumps. The faded pictures are of his last fall. 10 minutes of routine police work later the search is over. A human life is gone, wasted, forgotten. Almost.
When crossing back on Sunday evening, I stop at the same spot again. The poster is gone, ripped away by the fireworks-watching crowd; likely this ephemeral paper went to join his unfortunate body. God have mercy on his soul.
Don't ever jump; talk to a friend instead. Thank you Sandra Gordon, whoever you are for posting this paper up.
The Man on the Bridge — july 2008