On mild spring days he’d walk
into the middle of the common,
sit on a tree-stump, and alone –
but for occasional aircraft overhead
– he’d plot the hidden sabotage
of data banks, devise the feeding
of misinformation to punctilious
bureaucracies, rogue algorithms
to confound dark systems of control.
He was contemptuous of terrorists,
with their cheap effects and
barbarous logic, distrustful of
conspirators and all heroics.
He dreamed about a repertoire
of devious schemes – programming
hi-tech weaponry to self-destruct,
deflating wealth. All that seemed lacking
was a cause to justify his means.
Having no confidence in others,
his plans were proof against betrayal,
or any reckless forcing of his hand.
Heedless of surveillance, he remained
alert, ready to act, should circumstances
change, turn more malign. Time passed.
Surely he could not have missed the day
to launch his subtle, singular attack?
.
Tony Lucas
.