Robert Burns in contemporary literature – chapter 19 Silver Moonlight Eels Leningrad Sunday 11 August 1991
The older man falls into step with MacHardy. A working barge steams by, all but drowning out the Scot’s words.
‘ … that man to man the warld o’er, shall brothers be for a that.’
‘Ah! Robert Burns.’ The Armenian has his ear close to MacHardy.
‘I’m impressed. You’ve heard o’ Burns here in Leningrad?’ MacHardy is genuinely surprised.
‘Of course we know Robert Burns. He is not just Scottish poet but great poet who speak for all people. Here in Soviet Union every year we celebrate his birthday. Yes, of course, we know of your poet. His ‘Tree of Liberty’ is about poor peasants throwing off chains of tyrant.’
The Armenian’s bowed shoulders straighten as he closes his eyes and carefully recites:
‘Fair freedom, standing by the tree,
Her sons did loudly ca’, man,
She sang a song o’ liberty
Which pleased them ane and a’, man’
Tommy MacHardy nods his approval. ‘That’s the first time I’ve heard it recited in a Russian accent.’
‘Armenian,’ mutters the older man scarcely audibly, as he shakes his head at a white Volvo accelerating past. ‘There was so much that was good about our country, so much. Now our young people have no sense of past. When history is forgotten, what will become of us? History is future. Our enemies were once outside our great state. Now they are everywhere. Our young people look to West. They are ignorant and greedy. They want everything and give nothing. They do not know what they do but one day they will learn.’
‘We must be careful when we speak.’ He pauses, waiting for the woman to move further away. She lingers while her dog cocks its leg against the railing. The old Armenian embarks on a short circular walk, muttering under his breath as he does.
‘Even people you know. I tell you, in Soviet Union, most people, they spy. In this city, thousands spy on neighbours, on family. Thousands. In work, in metro, in shops, in hospitals, in hotels, here on street. So it is crazy to speak openly. Do you agree?’
‘You seem open enough talkin’ to me,’ remarks Tommy as he hurries to keep up with the older man.
‘You are Scottish. I take my chance with countryman of Robert Burns.’
Extract from Banana Pier by Alex Chisholm www.alexchisholm.org Kindle and paperback
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