I was tired of dressing up
to look “professional”
I had a job as a counselor
helping both the wealthy
and homeless
I was a counselor
helping people through tough times
pulling teens and adults
off drugs
wearing a tie and expensive clothing
was not my style
I felt it was a barrier with the poor
I went to the local salvation army store
I bought clothes for a dollar or two
things like well worn but colorful shirts
and jeans that have been around awhile
I found hats that were fun to wear
(50 cents each on sale)
what happened surprised me
those who met with me for counseling
told me for the first time
after seeing many counselors
they felt they could be honest
and tell me everything —
they said they felt I really
understood how they felt
they told friends
to come see me
and insist on seeing no other counselor
it appeared they wanted a counselor
who wore worn out clothes
who had been down and out
(and I really have had my share
of failures)
they felt I would not judge them
it’s funny how other counselors
asked me if I was embarrassed
dressing as I did
some counselors offered
me money to buy better clothing
thinking I did not earn enough money . . .
they knew I saw people who were
not able to pay anything for services
more people, all races, all genders
came to me for counseling
other counselors I worked with
in my building could not understand
why people wanted to see me
when, after all,
I looked like a poor loser
my counseling friends
thought I was not being professional
I held my ground and told them
go to a salvation army store
and buy clothes and see how
comfortable others feel
but they walked away
shaking their head
feeling sorry for me
I still wear salvation army clothes
my phone keeps ringing
now that I am retired without an office
I use White Castle, Wendys
or McDonalds as offices to meet people
who call for help
and can’t find anyone else they can trust