A Gardener's Prayer

Gardener's Prayer

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, lavendar, and others which You in Your infinite wisdome 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 gentian, plantain lily, and rhododendron) and not too much;

That there may be plenty of dew and little wind, enough worms, no lice and snails, or mildew, 

and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano may fall from heaven.

Amen!

   "by Karel Capek"

My mother read this poem to me over the phone the other day...I wish you could hear her voice. She's the only one I can imagine being able to read it 'properly'. Thanks Mom!  

(She takes care of other people lawns and flower beds...for a living.) The pictures are all by my husband, Tim, while working on a trip in New Zealand.