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.
Lives of Passion
In the seaof unconditional loveNear the shoresof peace and prosperityThe tranquil storm approacheson the winds of sacred breathLet us ride on wings of promiseto the land of contemplationLet us live our lives of passionin the world of Mystery's creation
The Feather Man
The feather mancould have chosento wear a crown, a blessed badgeTo beat his chestand play top of the heapInstead, instead...with open heart to open heartshe gifted feathers, his treasureTo a circle of sisterswhom he did not knowAnd became all the richerfor giving his...
Harvest of Love
Harvesting the fruitin the autumn of our livesAwakening togetherat dawn or the middle of the dayWe go along our separate pathsgathering the rich bountywith arms open widesweet, juicy, lovelyWe return home together againsurrounded and nurturedby life's, love's Grace...
Forgiveness
Full of gratitudefor blessingsFilled with loveoverflowingand peaceReconciliationin any formForgiveness, alive and wellgrants joyousnessA step through the doorinto Grace
Still Leaves
Quivering leaveshold still when I lookCacophony of greenin patient waitingfor another breezeSo still,so quietmidst the myriad soundsBirds being birdsand squirrels playing tagAnd people bustlingself-centeredlyWith no time to noticethe beauty and calm
Song of Light
There was a soundthe song of menthat rose upthose many years agoAnd he led theminto darkness and back out againRiding on the lightA wave of light, of songCome, come celebrate lifein joyousnessin song
The God Line
on the rug there is a threadunfitting, off color, out of patternthe God linespeaks of our humanityin the rose there is a flawa discoloration, a mis-turningthe God linespeaks of perfection in all thingsin my life there is heartachestrife, sadness, fear, angerthe God...
Cartoon Car
I used to zip aroundin my little red cartoon carFlinging all my passengersas I flitted here and thereFlirting with exciting adventureI gave my dreams a rideAnticipation of sights unknownwould thrill up in my gutEach new twist and turnon the road of LifeWant a...
Star Bright
Like jewels on velvetthe stars sparkledI asked, "Can't you do somethinga little more exciting?"Then, the biggest, brightestflared, jumped, circled it's neighborand flew out of viewQuicker than a hummingbirdas if to say, "I'm outta' here!"I stood theremouth agape at...
Zebra World
Zebra worldall black and whitean attitudea way of thinkingZebra worldsurrounded by brilliant greenon Earth of red and yellowand blue abovebutterflies brightrich life available to allThere is a place for allno matter how they think
Crow Love
As the crow fliesYou're very nearAnd as they congregateso, too, our hearts reuniteThey walk both worldswith caws and causeSpirit messengersAs does our love'tween head and heartand back againThe longest journeyin a moment made
Peacock
The peacock perchedon the porch railEvery morning and eveningfor days and daysCalling out in lonely voicelooking beautifulnext to the redwood deckA vigil of sortsa Spirit watchCalling to my soulCalling me back home