Please, I said, go ahead, 
sweeping open the door in a hurry 
so that I need not sully 
my hand with your grime; 
a false smile is no crime 
in the service of good manners 
and fine hygiene. You scurried 
through as though afraid 
that I might change my mind 
but behind you like the coat tails 
of the pied piper, a living river 
of people pressed me into place,
hair and scarves caressing my face 
with the scent of defeat, until finally
one with dancing eyes and feet 
held out his hand as though 
I would take it; instead I let go
and the door, as though arrested 
by his spellbinding steps 
stayed open after all 
without me.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” Matthew 21:31b