Barbara Swander Miller

Oh, Mary,
Undoer of Knots,
Heavenly Mother of us all,
counsel me. Share 
with me your 
maternal and
holy wisdom. 

Help me discern
the tools I need
to pull apart this 
tangled mess: 

The watchmaker’s loupe 
to closely examine 
the damage to such
intricate workings. 

The dressmaker's pin
that gently teases apart
threads so delicately, but
firmly knotted. 

The nurse’s tweezers
that pinch and tug at
mere filaments that 
have frayed and irritate. 

And help me recognize 
when to wield the 
blacksmith's sledge,
to bust apart the 
fine, but entangled chain,
melt the gold, 
and begin anew. 

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Holy Mother,
help me know when 
to pick up each tool 
and how to use it. 

Guide me to offer 
others just the right one  
or to smile and nod in 
healthy encouragement.

Nudge me when I 
should step back
and allow them to
discover the sweetness 
of your wisdom as you
undo the knots in
our lives.