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.
Expectant Dawn
Right before dawnthere is an expectancySung cheerfullythrough every beakFelt hopefullyin every leafjust after that darkest partNew day dawningnew beginning begun
Bearing Fruit
After a lifetime fullof bearing fruitlimbs heavy with their bountyThe gnarled old tree stood majesticallyall a-bloomfestooned for springAs if only a youngsterpumped and preparedfor a dance or other jubilant merrimentFull of joyousness and anticipationof the fruit of...
Waiting in Line
A wellspring of ideasand insightsHe played word games, wrote songs and practiced tiddly winksWhile he waitedpatiently in line...
Dappled Shadows
Quaking leavesdancing, sparklingdappling the shadowsLoving the sunwith all their beingnessPlayed a symphonyon the wind...
Grand Life (Full Reign)
Like a big happy face cartoon sunevery ounce of myselfwas beaming joyousness at the worldMy toes were dancing independentlyand my cheeks were pinkingAs my hands engagedin the depths of creative fury-------------------------------------Ah!Life is grand when in...
Valentine
Who says there's only one?Just a single day...to express love for another?Phooey!Each and everyday I wakewith the added thrillof you aligned with meLove is unending and permeates alland it is ever my pleasureto express it in myriad ways------ ...
Perspective
A hike up the mountainin the stillness of my mindWhere pale green budsburst open into pinkat the perfect timeA hike with minimal effortor scrabbling through rocky slopesAnd with brilliant sunshineand soothing blue aboveSoon I reach the summitscanning horizons of my...
Paradox
The rooster crowsthe hen lays an eggEach day we growcloser apartIndividuals weeach part of OneFrom smallest to All-est consciousness
Stage Life
Friendly peoplewith smiling facessurrounded him As he stepped out ontothe stage of his lifeGuitar in handand a song in his heartLife applauded abundantly...
Roots
My roots are deepmy body connected to the earthdeeper and deeper all the timeMy heartbeat a reflectionof Mother's steady rhythmMy spirit is one with allinfused with all the stuffof the Universe, of CreationMy spark of epiphanyinspired by His creativityAnd my...
Monkey Fun
Monkey funin trees and outUp the branchand jiggly stemSilly and freewe play with squirrelsand eat fruit-------- ------------ -------------Oooh - bananaOooh, oooh - banana!
Process…
Sensing the ruffled edgeof something far bigger than the egoAnd suspecting that it bore witnessto even greater possibilitiesHe surrendered with a nodto the flow of the processas it unfoldedMiracles ensued...