For what it's worth

I have gradually figured out that I was trying to change vocations, when the vocation as priest has been central all along.  The letters after my name do not matter.  I will keep the CADC because it allows me to maintain liability insurance and signals my interest in assisting those struggling with a range of addictions.  Even though the addictions field has more letters than any other.  I mean: IAODAPCA  (really).  I even know what each letter stands for :).  For what it's worth.  And this is worth a lot. 

For what it’s worth

And it seems worth

A lot

I find myself

Subtracting

And subtracting

Letters after my name

So the letter politicians

Cannot claim me,

Decide my place

In the system of mental health.

I have reclaimed the Church

As my primary home

Its letters and substrates

Its seeming silly ways

To rename basements

And vestibules

Its way of determining

Every single person

A Child of God

No matter what diagnosis

The letter politicians claim,

No matter what.

For what it’s worth

And it is worth more

Than I could ever ask

Or imagine.