POETREE

Oh, I love this. I love how it ends focusing on the strength and steadiness of his hands (and his character, perhaps?), and the way that the lack of his legs is neither overemphasized nor ignored. There's a refreshing matter-of-factness about it all: this is what needs to be done for Pilot Archer to adjust, so that's what he does. The sense of teamwork at the end, even victory (being hoisted on people's shoulders can be accommodation in one context and triumphant honor in another; here I think it's both) is all the more powerful because there's no moralizing line or judgement to be found. Well done; well done indeed.