I'm probably luckier than most. I'm surrounded by the most beautiful countryside; woods, fields, old farm tracks, rolling hills and woodland footpaths. Selecting a particular walk depends on the weather for the ease of movement along the trail. Today, after days of rain, my favourite routes were muddy and waterlogged so I went in to the woods where the paths are 'hogin' based affairs maintained by our local volunteer maintenance group.
You can always meet someone along the trail. Dog walkers, couples and families with young children, all enjoying the outside life and taking the air between rain storms. This morning, after exchanging pleasantries with a couple of dog walkers, I spotted a man about a hundred meters away coming towards me. Nothing unusual about that of course, but the closer he came, the more I studied him. He was wearing a black long draping Mac with the collar pulled high. His head had virtually disappeared into his collar, he had shrunk downwards in to it in a furtive manner – and I couldn't take eyes my off him. The closer we got to each other, the more uncomfortable I felt. At about ten paces I looked away briefly, returning my gaze for the most briefest of moments. Our eyes met as we crossed and he made no sign as if he had seen me. I was tempted to turn, but resisted the urge and I carried on walking with a slight feeling of uneasiness in the back of my neck and lower down in my spine.
Just a few seconds of uneasiness. Just a passing of different individuals. But I got to thinking and I replayed the previous few minutes or so in my head. I finally turned and focuses on the distant figure.
What could have happened if this was America. If we believe what we here that almost every one possesses a firearm or carries one, things could have been a lot different. The very idea that this man could have been clutching a gun in his hand or been just a few fingers away from one is chilling. We didn't speak – nor did we effect any visual greeting – in fact it was just a cold and meaningless passing. But what if I had spoken to him? What if…
There must be millions of similar exchanges on the streets and countryside in the US and I wonder if people think as I have done. Do they look at people as they pass and just see death and destruction?. Do they see the very fingers as I imagined, clutching the butt of a cold and deadly weapon?
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