O Lord, grant that in some way it may rain every day,
Say from about midnight until three o’clock in the morning,
but, You see, it must be gentle and warm so that it can soak in;
Grant that at the same time, it would not rain on campion, alyssum,
helianthus, lavender and other which You in Your infinite wisdom
know are drought-loving plants.
I will write their names on a bit of paper if you like.
And grant that the sun may shine the whole day long.
But not everywhere (not, for instance, on the spirea, or on gentian,
plantain lily and rhododendron) and not too much;
That there may be plenty of dew and little wind, enough worms,
no plant lice and snails, no mildew, and that once a week guano
may fall from heaven.   Amen.

Karel capek  © Anglican Digest.                                            Used by Permission