"Tom Moran, Boston"

The picture is called "Tom Moran, Boston", and was taken in january 1988. My first impression when I looked at this picture was of course illness and disease. What I saw was a skinny man lying on a bed with white sheets. The illness hiv/aids popped into my head right away, when I recognized some of the symptoms.

There are a lot of contrasts in the picture. The gray and skinny man lying on the white sheets. I feel that the sheets are representing new life, while the man is representing death. The colour is wan against the bright white sheet. The white walls makes me think that the man is in a hospital or in an institution. Why? Because you can't see any pictures. Its depressing and sad. When I look at the walls I also think about the truth. The naked truth. And I guess thats what I like about the picture. Noone is trying to hide the truth. The picture is reflecting reality, and it actually made me cry the first time I saw it. So powerful.

When I read the title of the pictures I didn't really give it much thought. After reflecting on the picture I understood everything. Tom Moran, a man from Boston. Suffering from hiv/aids. I searched on the internett, and guess what I found? "People with Aids". There are a lot of pictures in this collection, and a lot of pictures of Tom Moran. So, I've already told you some of the things that I like about this picture, but there is something missing. Probably the thing that makes this picture so beautiful. The thing that touches my soul and my heart. The peace. Tom Moran, suffering from hiv/aids, but still so peaceful. Just look into his eyes. He knows whats going on, but still he looks so quiet and calm.

All alone I'm lying here

only visited by the fear.

I have no future, I have no hope.

I'm looking at the world through my kaleidoscope

Nobody can imagine my situation.

It's not a denotation, It's an illness.

It's aids.

I'm emaciated, my life is calculated.

But I don't know who long it will last,

before I get "checked mate" by this bacterio blast.

This is an illenss, I'm going to die.

But, I'm not ready to say goodbye!

Unfortunate aids is winning.

I hope it's not the end,

just a new beginning 

  

A nameless "poem" I wrote after studying this picture. Im not a pro, but I really felt like writing down my thoughts.