"A Gardener's Prayer"
                    by Karel Capek
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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 & warm so that it can soak in;
Grant that at the same time, it would not rain on campion, alyssum
{Name your favorite.}, heliathus, lavender & others 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 spireae, or
On gention, plantain lily & rhododendron) and not too much;
That there may be plenty of dew & little wind, enough worms,
No plant lice & snails, no mildew, and that once a week thin liquid
Manure and guano may fall from heaven. Amen.