Men of Violence

''So where are you visiting from? Asked the large man in 'Near Buy' the only 'retail outlet' a general purpose store in the Tourist neglected Harbour area. He had beaten me to the counter with his Belfast Telegraph, Sun, Mourne Observer and Down Recorder. He looked at the Guardian with disbelief : 'You read that on Holiday?'

I told him about the Borders. He said he had once nearly been to Hay on Wye. No, the Scottish Borders I explained. 'Not much going on then?' He suggested after I had told him about the pleasures of Duns.' At least we were spared the Troubles'


'You people across the water get it all wrong about the Troubles. Thems were the days.'

He exited, buried in papers.

I asked the young woman behind the counter if he was a local man.

Indeed he is

Seemed to enjoy the Bad Old Days?

'They all did'

'They?'

'The Men of Violence'

I thought of the beer belly, the wispy hair, the stoop and the pebble glasses'

'He? A Man of Violence'

'Yes'

In his Dreams'

Labels: Men of Violence, Norn Iron, Scottish Borders

  ¶ 9:12 AM