Towers had only two more weeks

I was in New York City on photography business about two weeks before Sept. 11. A friend drove me around to see all the skyscrapers.

I spent the entire next day by myself on Ellis Island, which is of great interest to me because I am an immigrant.

As I looked across the water at the Manhatten skyline, I thought, “Perhaps I should photograph those buildings.” Then I thought, “But that’s so common a photo — everybody takes pictures of the New York skyline. Besides, they’re just big buildings full of people at work.” I usually like to take photographs of wild horses or people; buildings don’t interest me much.

As I walked farther along the perimeter of Ellis Island, I saw a small dock lined with seagulls.

“That will be my picture of the Twin Towers,” I remember thinking with excitment. The pier and the seagulls made a nice transition to the city.

Little did I know that most of those people in those buildings had only two weeks left at work.

Anne Stansell

Los Lunas