Wisdom

“Wisdom – Hochma – hath builded her house
she hath hewn out her seven pillars” (Proverbs 9)

in the depths of the Holy Writ
deep within the ancient
scripture of patriarchy
vestiges of
an unusual account
are hidden

Wisdom or Hochma
as she is known in Hebrew
is a woman
an older woman
in all likelihood

high above the city
she resides in a temple
surrounded by seven pillars
seven pillars of wisdom

in the temple of
her namesake
her priestesses
mix the wine
prepare the food
pour libation
to the deity

Wisdom or Hochma
as she is known in Hebrew
is a goddess
in possession of all knowledge

outside in the street
across from the temple
leaning on a fence
stands an old prophet
who could not wise up
to the idea that wisdom is feminine

he would later give us
his uncomplimentary version of the story
all the while watching
as people flock to the sanctuary
of the seven pillars
requesting guidness
plea and advice

years later when
Wisdom or Hochma
as she is known in Hebrew
had to leave the region
she arrived on the islands of the Greeks
a refugee on their shores
and as it is the custom of refugees
she changed her name
no longer is she Hochma
as she is known in Hebrew
she is now Sophia
since this is how the Greeks call
wisdom