éclatant.

On my way to work this morning I passed a runner in a bright red shirt. He had paused on the meridian to catch his breath, and was posed, legs wide and arms akimbo, like some capeless and hopeful superhero.

Although there was nothing to rescue, although the traffic streamed blindly by, for a brief second he froze the world, and for a brief moment, saved my life.

It didn’t last–such moments never do–but it was a brilliant act regardless.