- Wisdom
Wisdom comes forth from the mouth of God and covers the earth like mist, says Sirach.
You can see it now, hanging in the spruce and the hemlock above Nestucca Bay.
Wisdom comes forth from the mouth of God and pours on the earth like hard, winter rain.
It runs in the gutters and swells the streams, flooding the fields along the Little Nestucca.
Wisdom comes forth from the mouth of God and breaks through the trees like sun. It steams
the back of the doe that nibbles in the yard. You have been out walking, looking for God.
She doesn't startle. She lifts her head and shows you her large, empty eyes, her chin going round and round,
and for the first time in your life you can hear her ruminating, loud and clear as a kid eating cornflakes.
Chris Anderson is Professor of English at Oregon State University and author or coauthor of 12 books, including a book of poems, My Problem With the Truth (Cloudbank, 2003). He is also a Catholic Deacon. canderson@oregon-state.edu