By the Riverbank, by Bill Cox

By the riverbank, where first I held your hand. By the riverbank, where I first uttered the words ‘I love you.’

By the riverbank, where I saw you kiss my best friend with a passion I didn’t recognise.

By the riverbank, whose storm-swelled waters raged and churned in sympathy with my tempestuous emotions.

By the riverbank, where I pushed you into the frigid waters and watched you vanish downstream.

By the riverbank, where I walk with our son each day, teaching him to be a better man, free from the sins of his parents.