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.
Jazz Songs
The face there in the leavesof the magnolia treeAnimated by friendly breezessang jazz songswith no more encouragement than thatI expected lightheartedlyfor the tree to drop intoa lively soft shoe
Tortoise Joy
Little boy...Like the captain of his shipor a slow motion cowboyRode astride the huge tortoisegallumping along half timeWith a grin as bigas his little face would hold
Light Songs
Her words, like starsfell from her lips to sparkleacross the blanket of skyIn myriad constellationswith tales of braveryand lighthearted frivolity----------------------------------His songs, like the dawningof inumberable daysAwoke birds in their nestsfor a sympony of...
Earth’s Tears
Cry no morewhen the rains have calledfor even the newest blossoms to fall-------------------------------------------------My cheeks are washedby Earth's tearsShed for all her childrenand even for herself------------------------------------------------Choices made in...
Open to Receive
OPEN TO RECEIVEThat man who gives of his heartwas generous right from the startIn kindergarten he watched out for the other kidsAnd still his wife knows how very much he givesYet he won't let anything backHe needs to learn...
Enter the Circle
Enter the circlein a humble waypatting the earthEnter the circleas we join to prayjoining voices togetherFor in the circleon the plane of lifeall are equal, all are familyall are welcomeEnter the circlein the medicine way
Oh, Perfection…
Little fuzzy caterpillarwas jogging lightly down the branch of his favorite bushHis brow a little mistyhis cheeks a bit pinkAll those little feetin synchronous movement"Like a well oiled machine, " he thoughtThen he tripped on a tiny twigAh, well - so much for...
Mirror of Mine
A mirror for mesometimes it looks like me there in the glasssometimes it looks like oppositea clashA mirror for youlooks like your past there in the glasslooks like someone else thereAll that glitters cannot mirror for uslike loved ones canAll that shinesis not...
Spring’s Path
Down the lane of sticker busheswhere juicy berries are plentiful in summerjust now tiny buddings appearAnd the path meanders offmuddy and abandonedfor a season or a lifetimetoward the wooded part of my mindWild and overgrown with songin full summer it had beenNow...
Bear Blessing
Lumbering bearwas slumbering not long agoSticks sensitive snoutin hidden placesSearching out early foodmeanders past nonchalantrespectful disinterestScruffy fur begging to be touchedgrumbly growly intensity says notImagine hugging, heck, ridingaware of muscle and...
Wild Hair
The woman with the wild hairand a moustacheHelped me when no one else was even lookingTook me under her wingin the good mom sort of wayWith pure humanityand a spot of compassionWove me past corporateinto the heart of the matterWild hair flying in undeclared breezesand...
Compost
All the fella's are busyworking the pile...Let's face itit's been winter, soggy and wetchilly and darkAnd still each new offeringhas been plentiful and juicySo, the fella's are busy wearing no hard hatsYet many all feistywith armored backsTurning out rich soilfrom the...