Dear Saint Tony,

Yes, I know you are annoyed
At the title ‘saint’
I do this on purpose
Knowing you will be annoyed
It tickles me
To know this will annoy you
In the afterlife

I do this to remember your fire
To catch the echoes of it
The rants against artifice
And quiet insistence
In pointing out injustice
No one will get out unscathed
And everyone will take responsibility

I do this to remember your acceptance
You walked into huts and buildings and palaces
You walked holy ground
You walked battlefields
You walked hunting trails
You walked escape routes
Everyone allowed to be exactly who they were

I do this to remember your curiosity
People you met yesterday
Invited you to try new foods
They took you into kitchens
And you marveled at process and ingredients
Every strange and new thing
Was met with a desire to know

I do this to remember your sincerity
Young chefs placed dishes before you
My bet their hearts skipped a beat
As you called them ‘chef’ with the same tone
As those seasoned and experienced
You greeted the recovering addict and the world leader
With the same deference and respect

I do this because
You’re not here
So I try to keep my fire
I strive to be accepting
I hold onto curiosity
And struggle to remain sincere
To be at least half the human being you were

Dear Saint Tony in your mercy
Hear my prayer