Yule Boys

In the 19th century, groups of boys in Galloway would reenact a pageant or play for pennies at Christmas. The play took the form of two knights competing for the hand of a lady. 

They lads would argue, fight, then one would throw the other on his back, and take his prize into the moonlight.

The Boys of Yule, Thornhill December 2013

In a frosty road, the three of them,

cans ablaze like corselets:

the blood red heraldry of Tennents 

stark in pub light. It's an old play:

'a pantomime', she sighs,

and walks off before the words

or blows. 'I'm bored',she says,

'and moving on'.