*A*

its been almost a year a half since we left niger. traces of africa still occupy my mind. i cannot forget. perusing the hundreds of photographs daniel and i , took caused memories i had thought forgotten to resurface. and its now never been more alive in my mind. i suppose i've become almost obsessed with the idea (see previous post). i stumbled across this photo of *A*.

now i recognise his suffering. i was never really convinced of it until now. im sure he had the so called 'supreme affliction' - a disorder of the mind. left undiagnosed. misunderstood and stigmatised - this young man lived a life that was ridiculed. i feel sorry. i feel angry at myself for not seeing it-if i had would i have been able to help him? to our credit we offered him our friendship - but certainly this was not enough. i yearn to see good health return to people like *A*.
is hope a mystical thing?

i've long had an inkling that i might die young. all i ask is that i live long enough to see some sliver of resolve.

hope rising now.