Writers of the Lost Ark is made up of Temple members who love to write poems, prose, songs and stories. The group meets once a month to discuss works in progress and get feedback, creative encouragement and new ideas to write about. Members also share things online during the month and are very interactive with each other between meetings. And yes, Writers of the Lost Ark is a play on “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” only this is The Temple’s version! 

Here’s a sample of WOTLA’s musings. Check back again for more of their creativity in the future! 

Impressions of winter- 

By Ruth Thomas 

Silver clouds 

Canopy of frozen sea foam 

Still as sleep. 

 Tree branches outstretched 

Like Pavlova’s arms dancing The Swan 

Perfect grace. 

 Leafless winter wood 

Dormant and twisted 

Life held within 

Steeled for ice 

Spring, a promise. 

Slow growing  

Root and renew  

Winter work. 

Meditation is preparation. 

Warmth is not optional. 

Doing Nothing 

By Frank H. Boehm 

I have been retired for approximately two and a half years and during this time I have come to understand a few fundamental issues regarding the retirement process, the most important of which is the process of “doing nothing.” I have come to understand over the past few years that “doing nothing”, is doing something! 

 A retired friend of mine asked me the other day what I was going to do that day and I replied, “nothing.” My friend responded, “But you did that yesterday,” upon which I responded, “Yes, but I was not finished.” Funny, yes, but in many ways quite true.  

Here is what I am doing when I am doing, “nothing”: 

I am busy taking deeper breaths. 

I am busy thinking about letting the muscles in my neck and shoulder relax. 

I am busy listening to my body for any important message it might be sending me.  

I am busy sitting outside, viewing the beauty of nature. 

I am busy sharpening my sense of listening to the world around me. 

I am busy thinking about the truly important issues of life.  

I am busy silencing worthless thoughts. 

I am busy calming my anxious mind. 

I am busy thinking about all the love that is in my life. 

I am busy thinking how grateful I am for all I have and for all the good things in my life. 

I am busy doing “nothing”. 

If all these things are doing nothing, then I believe we should all, retired and otherwise, do more of “nothing”.