Except Poem by RIC BASTASA

I too, will be with thieves, and slanderers
And robbers, embezzlers, child molesters,
Rapists, prostitutes, and murderers
Today,
Listening
Patiently listening, like a father to sons & daughters on a big family,
I will be with them, hearing their woes, and
Worries, and cries, and
Lies,

I was born to listen to all of them,

Except for the tax collectors,
For whom, Christ with Zaccheus, once ate
Long time ago.

Today, all of them have been absolved of their sins,
Now they ride in flashy cars,
Live in their own mansions
These tax collectors,

Except
All those above enumerated, all the people
Still pay them their taxes, feeding them, sheltering them,

As I today, shall hear all their woes & cries
But mostly, lies and more lies.