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.
Bee Balm
Upon the curved lip of turgid, achingly beautiful petalsthe bee treads with loving feetDrinking in the sweet nectar of life’s full sustenancegifting pollen in his wakeHow blessed we areby their sharingThriving on the fruitsof their loving labor
Pumpkins
Pumpkin…Ever think what a strange word that is?Pumpkin on the stepPumpkin on the tablePumpkin in a cookiePumpkin in a pieBut, not pumpkinIn my eye, pleaseAnd, no pumpkin mask‘cause all that icky, hairy stuff and smellEeeyuuu!
Other Side of Fright
The hounds howledas he passedin the nightNearly on tiptoeslyly slinking toward his lighton the other side of fright“Whatever it takes,” his new motto…
Favorites
I surround myself with favoritesAll that I relishAll that nourishes my spiritAll that empowers my strengthsI am filled with lovemy heart embraced in sweetnessJoy overflowsloved ones all around○ ○ ○ I release broken dreamsand old painful interpretationsof stories...
I Am Awake
Ever noticehow much more awakeyou are, upon awakening ---Rather like waking up!The snake,she woke up one dayRaising up tothe full height of her spine“Ah, I am awake,”she hissed peacefully
String of Days
Abandon notyour hopes of far reachesIn the day to daykeeping up of thingsFor each day, you can begin againThe happy strivingAnd begin again and again…until before long, you’ll have a string of daysof hope and happiness
Critters
There was a group of little critterswho thought my ankles were tasty frittersTheir little hearts went all a’ twitteras they munched and crunched awayThey ate fast, they didn’t ditheras chances of survival started to witherAnd I walked hither and thitherso, they didn't...
Sharing Stories
They loved to tell storiesand each loved to listenAnd, so, their lives were fullNever a dull momentSpirit loves younow and alwaysSo let’s keep sharing our storieswith each other…
Peaceful Silence
In the cavehidden on the cliffsideRockfall and rubblebushes and grasses all aroundIn that silent solitary placenear the river of my lifeI sat in communicationwith the bugs and animalsAnd became more connectedwith the earth in the wallsand through the rock on which I...
Enjoy the Ride
Recently, as well as specific timesin far and quickly pastthe day gets caught in the flowRapids tumbling or steady strong streamit doesn’t matter which or whatLike passengers on the roller coasterarms raised as high as eyebrowswith grins as wide as all thatthrill...
Sense of Humor
One thing they alwaysseemed to rememberEven when caught up in the busy-ness of their dayWas to express theirJoyous sense of humorin some amusing way
Tender Secret
May your heart rejoiceand be glad in every moment todayLike a tender secretlet your joyousness dwellin your heart