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.
One Step…
“One step at a time…”we’ve all heard the lineWe know it’s trueit sits in our bonesStill, doesn’t it seemthat sometimesWe could just teleportto our heart’s desire?
Nimble Hearts
That big guy, all nimbly on his toespirouetted and sang wowza songsYou and I in harmonysoft shoe along, a part of a throngA chorus of sillinesslight heartedness, all nimbly too• • • •May we ever danceAll nimblyJoined at the heartOf joyousness
Warming of the Heart
Sometimes I noticethe curl of your neckor some other tender spotAnd I’m remindedIn just that momentof human vulnerabilitiesAnd the warming of the heartIt’s then the butterflies arise againAnd I am prompted to say something
Still and Rich
A checkered boxcovered with jewel-like beadsAnd full to within an inchof emptiness, still and richSuch is my daysuch is my lifeSuch is the experiencewhen immersedin love and gratitude
All That Is
Who put the thought out therewith glowing lightsand propping up implementsThat All that isis limited by our limitationsThat Infinity fits in a boxthat All could be nothing?• • • •Little squirrel contemplatedAll that is for a momentBefore leaping off the branchin...
True Self
Upon quiet self reflectionin the silence of his quiet mindHe knew his inner valuethe truth of his true selfIt was good when he remembered thatin the rushing around of his day
Joyous Determination
Forever so longlittle spiderhad been cleaning upthe ravages of every stormRebuilding, re-grounding, re-attachingwith joyous determinationToday, she decidedshe would change the designand moved a full 6 inchesto the rightAh! How spiffy,how excitingwhat ingeniousness!Let...
Orchestra of Justice
An orchestra of justiceNature’s rhythms awokePlayed themes of peaceand incomprehensible hopein lilting tones of possibility“How could that be,” one wonders“without control and argument?”‘Tis simply natural lawas life flows with easeand rushing graceThrough crags of...
Gettin’ Busy
Where, oh where, were you tonight?Why was I working all by myself?I had to fix dinner and get to a meetingI made a mess, dear, and phht I was gone…• • • •Sometimes, when I get busyIt may seem that my consciousnessDoes not include the home environmentOr surroundings or...
Life’s Memorial
Memories stackedpearls and gemsStones and clodsall jumbled togetherTo pick and sort—the work of the elderString necklaces of beautyrich and deepplant daisies in the fodder
Broad Vista
Once atop the perch at the peak of his life He could see the broad vista before him He was ready to soar…
Who’s Counting?
So many years and a dayand, Yes!Yes, he was countingFor each day is preciousespecially awakeAwake, aliverecovering life!Ah, every momenthas cause for celebration!