Relic

They’ve finally managed it 

I heard it on the radio on my way 

they’ve done with it altogether 

it was just a minor irritant they found 

(whatever was left of it, that is) 

so they took it right out of the system 

the decision was taken at the highest levels 

the government machinery, everyone  agrees, 

should work so much better now, 

with this relic of bygone days, 

this leftover honesty 

completely gone