Battered, bruised,
mishandled, misused.
A sorry case
spilled out its discontents
to a passing spy,
who was on the look-out
for renegade lunchboxes
or out in the cold chicken sandwiches.
It leaked establishment ink,
and sold its files
for a promise
to be handled with care.
It became a double agent,
and attached itself
to a man of importance.
It skulked in corners
and under desks,
until it was found out.
And a discarded Guardian reported,
yes it was a spy
there’s no doubt
an open and shut case.