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.
Human Hearts
Far off in a landdistant and strangein a time long forgottenthere were peoplewho had lives of experienceand emotions much like oursThe human experienceHearts of love
Spirit Tree
Roots spread wide and deepcommunity sprung upa strong tree with thick branchesLet us sing in the shadeof the ever dancing leaves Let us rise up and move as onein the varied winds of changeLet us be a blessingbearing fruitfor all our sustenance
Richness of Rose Petals
Tender thoughtsfragile with newnessand unfamiliaritydropped like rose petalson the shelf of fertile consciousnessUnwasted – only spentthis go aroundadding richness to the momentdepth to the psychePotpourri of fodderNew blooms every season…
The Rains Came
It was dry and browncold to the bones chilledEveryone chapped and uneasyAnd then the rains cameThe plants perked upeven amidst grey and soggyTrees flexed with wintry breezesSquirrels bundled upin fluffed up fur And old dried tearswere washed awaywhen the rains...
Joy of Compassion
Sorrowful joy of compassionwells up like a bursting flowerA flaming soul cleansegrace in actionwashes my cheeksFlash springs of hot tearsfollow their rutted pathto settle peacefullyin the pond of my heart
Rumblin’
Rumbly rumblysomething’s grumblyall topsy-tumblyAnd little bug rolls upas very tight as he canto hide himselfto ride the storm---------------------------------If only good instinctswere always based on true perceptionsrather than skewedby assumed and partial onesOh,...
Inspired Compassion
Wandering thoughtfully'midst the wilderness of Spiritwrapped in cloaks of reasonin times of discontentThere came the momentof inspired compassionIt bent the sensesjust a tweak or twountil dialed into radianceat the cracking of a smile
Effulgent Orb
That effulgent orbglowing and lovelybehind a curtain of mistblesses the eveningThe warmth of frosty moonGentle keeper of the nightsoftened merely by your fullnessStrengthened resolvea face in the crisp night…
Soul Food
Once and awhilethey simply liked to “veg out”Hunkering downto a good cupof warm teaand a good bookIt is food like thatthat soars the soulto new adventures
Miracle
The miracle of the hourwas tip-toeing aroundin the recesses of his mindTickling his fancy thoughtswith epiphaniesfull of possibilitiesYeah! What fun!
Cloudy Sky, Shining Sun
No matterhow cloudy the skylittle squirrel knewsomehow in his bonesthat the sunwas still shiningand so approached the daywith his same sunny disposition
Blessings to You
Lightborn of the darknesssurrounding the conceptnurturanceJoysettled in the heartwells up in even odd momentsimbues the momentLovealways and everinstilled in our genesabundant and generoussent to you