For quite some years I supplemented my regular income by doing tax returns for about 15 clients and although much of the work could be accomplished with TurboTax, there were always returns which required more esoteric forms and instructions. In order to acquire these I would walk over to the federal building in downtown Pittsburgh and acquire my paperwork. On a day immediately following 911 I was stopped at the front door of The Federal Building my reason for desiring ingress was considered too inconsequential and I was denied access.

The tax return eventually got done but my client was astounded by the difficulty involved in reporting and paying his taxes.

For Most of those years I was known to my clients and colleagues as just Bill. But that's another story.

THE INTERDICTEE

I went today
after noontime mess,
to get some forms
from the I.R.S.

But when I reached
that federal portal
I was stopped in my tracks
by a uniformed mortal.

This bureaucrat
who blocked my way
mumbled, quote, "we're
checking I.D. today."

I'm just plain Bill.
You've heard of me.
I'm everywhere
and often you see.

He said, your right
I've heard the name.
But, I can't let you in
if its all the same.

Without I.D.
and a picture too,
I cannot tell if
you look like you.

I've paid about
twelve grand a year
just for the right to
walk through here.

But I don't suppose
they would ever agree
to having me just
keep the money.

The message I guess
has the following gist.
Without photo I.D.
your a terrorist.