Most every work day for more than 11 years, I wrote a love note, poem or other inspirational thought, on a napkin – and tucked it in my husband, Marshal’s, lunch – a ritual of the heart. At the beginning of 2009, Marshal started typing them up. It became OUR ritual of the heart to share the Daily Napkin as a blog. Then, in October 2015, Marshal retired, so the whole dynamic changed. I took several months to re-evaluate and decide what I was going to do. The poetry of the napkin is now joined with my art and/or photography images. May you enjoy them. May they feed your spirit.
Antidote
The most noxious weedprovides the best antidotefor those who suffer allergyThe most obnoxious personprovides the best antidoteFor those of that strivealways for perfectionAchoo!God bless them both
Black Bird Guidance
Walking down a new streeta bit timid, still moving feetWhen big blackbirds, crows I thinkcame diving at my head, crawking and squawkingputting up a stinkFear came and roostedin my screaming countenancewaving arms and hands around my headdoing the scaredy-cat...
Blooming Factor
The flower bloomedwithout thinking about itIn its naturelies the blooming factorBarely waitingto burst forth and rejoicelike a songbird at dawn
Slow and Steady
Slow and steady works bestwhen slogging throughthe mud of Life(Unless, one has perfectedtiptoeing across the top...)Muddled and cuddledby squishy earth and waterthe stuff of dreams or nightmaresAnd, great for the skinwith other immediate benefitseven as it sucks you...
Bring Out the Sun
To bring out the sun:Sing, singwith all your heartWhether it be silenton the tongueor roaring fromyour soul's centerLet your joyousnesswreak havocon the dismal weatherof mind
Cloud Horses
Sun came romping outso it must be tomorrow Let's once again lean backand zap scuttling clouds With thoughts of rabbitsand galloping horses(the child's game for serious adults)• • •Like islands in the skyequines cavorting in the windlet's ride our...
Dancing Heart
Sensing something differentshe held perfectly stillas perfectly as she could While her dancing heartcontemplated this newexperience of transition Intrepid dreamerawakening to a fresh daydoe eyes drifting into focus Riding on the hemof vision's misty cloak
Words
The record for the most wordswritten within 30 secondscannot be easily established generally speaking• • •Meanwhile, his thoughts took a turnwhen he started usinghis own internal shorthand
Love’s Grace
You and mesittin' under a treeK-I-S-S-I-N-GFirst came Lovethen came marriageForever and ever'til way beyond this rare age• • •Romance renewedeach time I see your faceThe comfort in my heartblessed by Love's grace• • •Here's appreciating all of...
Mystery Singing
Wolf naturallyruns in the packbeing a family persona tribe personthe rogue only sowhile unmatedHowling, singingto the mysteryis his delight
Seedlings
Seedlingsspring forthwith new lifeDelicate and tender shootsstronger than muscle menAs they burst throughthe hull and leap upto greet the sun
Journeying
All the souls upon the earthWe each are on our journey homeWe tug and pull, laugh and cryTogether, we dance on our ownTell me your storyI’ll tell you mineUpon our journeylet’s all have a good time