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.
Falling on Tasty Color
Made of overt colorcapable of startling nourishmentthrough the retinaBanging on the doorof ability to perceiveIt literally rocked stable conceptswith inexplicable aplomband a spattering of stuttersin shades of gray--------------------Fed until staggeringby colors and...
Fortunate Folly
Fortunate folly:She tripped on her thoughtsfell into a pile of epiphaniesand awoke into enlightenment"Aha!"One time is all it takesto awaken to enlightenmentAfter that, one can only napno more goingcompletely unconscious
Grateful Monkey
Monkey stoppedsweet potato in handalong the wayPaused in awepoised upon a big rock(A finer vista on the boulder)to view the sunset with gratitudeAnd raised the tuberin silent, respectfulhomage and thanks
Well of Life
Once inside the mindof every humanthe paths are trickyand somewhat convolutedYet there is an auraa sweet, sweet smellthat reminisces of the long, cool drinkat the Well of Life…
Cosmic Cheerleader
Charged by the peoplethat he meets and greetsHe’s a cosmic cheerleaderan ear with a heartA friend to the friendlessA light at the doorA young man with an old soulWords of encouragementa smile in the heartwith tender hearted caringEmbodying serviceon the high...
Heart’s Gratitude
Once, when the blue tulip bloomeda little caterpillar awoke to the sunriseand raised half his many legs in greetingsA salute of honorA silent acknowledgementof the nurturing warmthGratitude requires no wordsIt is an exercise of the heart
All are Sacred
In the shadow of the moonlightwhere mystery stalks our thoughtsA palpable encompassing forcecreeps beside, around and throughA midnight walk in forestA solo flight in deep woodinto dreams and deeper thingsThere the shadows lurkwith not a bit of timidand sounds arise...
Oh, Happy Storm!
A big joyous sound swelled forthfrom lips and instrumentslike a huge wavein a happy stormPeople dancing in the aisleswaving arms and wagging headsYoung and old alikejubilant, energizedfilled with holy SpiritAwake, aware, alive!
Blessing and Gratitude
Happy Bugs
The bugs are happywhen we dig into the pileThey run hither and ditherand then hither and yonOh boy! Oh boy!More food for the foddermore rotting vegetablesenough for the mudderHappy day in the compost pileHappy day in the dirtHappy day in the sunshineHappy day in the...
Warm Colors
Warm colors gusting pastand falling on headsdrifting into the cornerssoftening rigid linesIn the circle of communityeach is held upsurrounded by soft edgesand warm colorsLike leaves, we driftto fill in gaps with loveand support for each other…
Be Still, My Speeding Heart
Inspired by blurred wingsof jeweled and joyous hummingbirdand the languid lurchof true and intrepid turtleMy heart travelsat its own speedas I journey throughspicy and blandjuicy and dryAnd even when I stomp outthe sparks of fiery controversyinfecting my peaceful brain