I grew up alongside a river. The river runs unbroken, from the hills to the sea, and passes the street I lived on as a child. At first I was only permitted to see the river from the foot of the street, but as I grew older I was able to follow the path that runs along the banks, provided I didn’t stray too far, stay too long, go further than the bridge.

The river became a place I could be alone, separate from family and home, somewhere I could begin to imagine a future beyond the suburbs. The cold river air ushered in an atmosphere of desire, a space of anticipation. I would listen to the running water and dream of who I would become.