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.
Spirit’s Song
A candle litWithin my heartBurning brightlyWith the forceOf Spirit’s desireThe sweetness of Spirit’s songUpon my lipsSing on…
A Twig for Your Thoughts
Pick a twig off a lavender bushPull off the bottom leavesand stick it in the earthIt grows…What if we were like that?Actually... our thoughts are!
Skipping It
“Skip it,” ladybug declaredas she rushed out of her nestHeading out to be busyAround 10 o’clockshe was really sorryshe had said thatAnd even sorrierthat she had indeed “Skipped it”Empty bravado begets less than it might seem
Out for a Sail
Like sailors flying over wavesof emotion and other liquid dramasCompassion and empathy...compatriots in many circlesRode aloft the sleeveof unconditional loveStiff breezes flapping the hairand their cheeks with brisk splashes of reality
Falls Trek
It’s time to plantA winter’s gardenTo toil in soil and clear groundMake way through summer’s cropand begin fall’s trek into winterThe seeds of greenness and deep rootsflourish in the autumn warmth‘Neath still moist earthrushing lazily to break through• • • There...
Hairy Samurai
Kamikaze squirrellittle hairy samurai Praying to his foodin reverenceas vehicles whizz by Standing there on the pavementat the edge of the freeway Reminds me of the truththat Spirit is everywherethat it’s all sacred ...that foolish faith makes for...
Lush Planet
How would it beTo live on your ownLittle lush planet? A veritable Garden of EdenWhere you could come and goAs you pleaseIn fact – you do!
Always Grateful
Celebrating the fact of lifewith gratitude and love• • •Like rainbows and promisesof ever-present joyOr baby cheeks or puppiessunsets and rises, tooLike those and many moreI never tire of loveI’m always grateful of lifein all its parts
Love’s Light
As the nights grow longerAnd the days shorterThe feeling of peaceGrows in the heartBorne of cuddly warmAnd joyous celebrationsOf Love’s light
Serious and Goofy
At the corein the heart of our heartsit’s strong and resilientbright and warman abundance of LoveFoo foo frillys and other silliesjust add layers of textureto our rich, rich lifeSerious and goofylovey and loopeyGrowing older on the outsidewhile more youngand free...
Spirit’s Reflection
Summarily, she concludedthat it was all the same anywayAll a partof the same goodnessShe saw light reflectedfrom their eyes• • •Love occurringis not just coincidenceIt is Spirit’s intentionand you are the vessel…
Flitting Color
Flitting is generallyfor butterfliesbrilliant flowerswith powdered wingor jewel throated hummingbirdswinging on with joyous speedBut now and againmy heart has been knownto flit among the sacredand shine brilliantly colorfulwith ecstasy