Athena

wide white wings whispering graceful wisdom
knowledge revealed in shadowed glances
golden eyes hold the secrets of the sun
burnished whirlpools swirling pinwheel trances

Hindu calm over Grecian still life
until flight breaks out, a snow owl flown
Athena flies in the shape of a shrike
raptor dance in the sky like leaves windblown

the chase ends atop a Doric column
gold discs meet brilliant gaze unblinking
contract signed in the silence so solemn
a new ally in the war for thinking

the marriage of wisdom to intellect
both Athena’s gift and her last regret