all day i have felt it. the cleft, the fault line, at the center of me. i was tempted to numb it, distract it, let it leak out and evaporate. instead i sat with it. hiked with it. took it to the grocery store. it is still with me now, here at my desk, as i look her in the eye and see myself (literally, look close).

this experience–it hurts and it expands. it is ravenous, staying, real.

what i know is that these are the kinds of photographs i want to take. the ones where i am seeing and i am seen. the ones that take me to places that i have never been to before and where i am compelled purely by beauty and connection; by a pull so deep that i really have nothing to do with it.

clarity of passion is powerful, disruptive, relentless.

still, i have no choice but to respond.

photo: woman in omel women’s group. gulu, uganda. april 2010. doorways project in partnership with cafwa. re-processed today with a nod to the split-toning trademark style of phil borges–a kind and compassionate teacher, and trailblazer, who has encouraged me to keep going…