Sister Carmen Bernos de Gasztold was a Benedictine nun and gifted writer. In her book entitled Prayers from the Ark, the French poet gave voice to God’s creatures who sailed with Noah.

During a season of summer reruns, I am sharing again a sampling of my favorite poems. Today’s selection conveys the clever, crafty, requests of The Prayer of the Cat.

Lord,

I am a cat.

It is not exactly, that I have something to ask of You!

No—

I ask nothing of anyone—

But,

If You should have by some chance, in some celestial barn,

A little white mouse,

Or a saucer of milk,

I know someone who would relish them.

Wouldn’t You like someday

To put a curse on the whole race of dogs?

If so, I should say,

Amen.