O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

December 17 is the first day of the "O" Antiphons, an ancient part of Christian liturgy.  It dates back to the fourth century. There's one for each day until Christmas Eve. The antiphons describe Christ using seven Messianic titles. They are based on the Old Testament prophecies and types of Christ. The first one is O Sapientia (O Wisdom).

This sonnet was written last year. At the time I was reading Malcolm Guite's advent poetry book "Waiting on the Word". Here is my version of an O Sapientia sonnet.

Our greatest folly is to close the ear

To wisdom’s voice when she reveals the way

And say that ancient paths have had their day

We choose what we think wise, what we hold dear

Yet at the city gate she makes her call

Spreads out her feast, invites us all to eat

Wisdom so rich it makes a man complete

The flush, the broke, the tramp, the king, us all

Come wisdom draw us from our broken wells

From fallen human truth where error dwells

Come wisdom pour on us a cleaner word

That cuts to bone and marrow all we’ve heard

Fill and spill in us ‘til we overflow

And your sweet way in us we thereby show