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.
Blessings of You
It's so easy to count the blessingsof having you in my lifeWhen I considera lifetime of daysAs strings of baublesjewels lined upSparkling with the lightof love and appreciationThank you...
Seed of Winter
When the grays go on for days punctuated only with drizzle and splash and life has taken to cozying up in cornersto ward off the coldthen after a while I take it personallyin my mindThis time of retreat bearsa gift of warmth insidethe tiny seed of expanding...
Paths of Heart
All times past have gathered nowWith naught but troubled mindTo whisper judgements on the nowwhile paths of heart we findSeeking peace and joy and loveeach day in stillness flightAnd knowing brightness of the daythroughout the darkness of night
Fires of Inspiration
Fanning the flames of inspirationwith leftover gusto from a night of sweet camaraderieThe flow of pure poetryarose in his heartin a burst of light and warmth
Sustainable Peace
Sustainable peacewithin my centerEmanates waves of lovepunctuated frivouslywith outbursts of joy-----------------------------------Funnyhow that all workstogetheras One
Sun in Bones
Sun is in my boneshappiness is my heart's nameon foggy morning-------------------------------------Last summer on rocklike cold blooded lizard sunnedwelcomed sun in bones------------------------------------Two haikus 'bout bonessummer residing in themwarm rocks are my...
Frozen Mud
Frosty leaves on frozen mudcrackle and creak under footAs sharp breezes cutthrough nooks and cranniesI didn't know my coat hadBriskly chafed cheekssummon colors not unlike the leavesBirds, hardy like crowspoke at the crisp blue skythrough mists and steel grayWith beak...
Gourmet Chickens
They were all excitedclucking and rushingEach new rock or stumpas we turned them over anew---------------------------------------------Scraps are a treat...but bugs and worms...Yum!-------------------------------------------In rubber galosheshoods cutting the mistWe...
Friend Always
even though it may sometimesseem that I take you for granted or some suchthe truth is I appreciate youfor who you are - all of youfor all you dofor all you refrain from doingfor being my friend alwayseven when I'm actinglike a putz
Gratitude’s Grace
Like the tender unfoldingof each petal delicateThe victory of gratitudedeclared my hearta blessed zone of peaceAwakeningone thanks at a time------------------------------------------------------------My tears of happy slip like riversdown my cheeks
Sudden Turn
The path throughthe thick woodsTook a turnoff to the rightAnd suddenly openedto a broad meadowBright sunlight sparkled off the wings of dozens of dragonflies
House of Kindness
Our house, if consideredspeaks silentlyof our lives and nameless quirksStoically witnessesour poetry and sciencesAnd surrounds our life togetherwith kindness and generosity