Poetry Of
Michael Hwozdecki
A Quiet Harbour
Set your sails for a quiet harbour
Seek the place you'll be complete
And when you sense you can go no further
Rest awhile at the Saviour's feet
Keep the company of the angels
Make each day shine on the next
You'll find the brightness of just one candle
Guides you on each passing step
Don't hide your smile amidst the shadows
Turn and look upon the Light
Take the lead and see what follows
Trust in Him who gives delight
Seek the harbour still unbroken
Find the beauty still to see
Trust the Word our Lord has spoken
If you try you can be free
In the harbour He awaits you
Seek the breeze that fills your sail
Find the peace He sends to greet you
Quiet waters, peace prevails
Affecting Eternity
It was not so very long ago
My little boy came to me
He had a question on his mind
And it would not let him be
He had seen it in the paper
And it bothered him a lot
To see the stories 'bout the people
Our Lord must have forgot
He knew that God loves everyone
He knew they are His flock
But in his little heart there he ached
From images he could not block
why did God let people die
In wars across the sea
Why were the children crying there
If their daddy's were now free
And although he couldn't say it right
My child could sense the doom
Of little children dying
Before they left the womb
I swallowed hard as I looked at him
His eyes so wide and pure
I hadn't known until right now
The doubt he had endured
I scooped him up into my lap
And squeezed him close to me
And then I sought to prepare myself
And answer truthfully
He was too young to bear man's shame
And yet a man he'd be
And as a father my time had come
To effect eternity
My son I said to his searching eyes
God sees these things you see
And for every soul who trusts in him
He will their pain relieve
He wants us all to trust in Him
To put Him first before ourselves
But son he gave us all free will
Who is first, only time will tell
Our Father's tears are greater
For the little one's you see
And He is always standing close to them
Their suffering to relieve
As for war's its just like you
When you choose to disobey
There will always be a consequence
When we go a stray
But unlike some mean parents
Who punish without end
Our Heavenly Father wants us back
To give us love again
So when you see the suffering
That happens everywhere
Remember God wants to stop it too
The pain is His to bear
Some folks just have turned their back's
Some never knew His name
They missed the Lord's free gift
And are content to play their games
You have a friend in Jesus
As you have with mom and I
You don't have to perfect my son
You simply have to try
He smiled at me and heaved a sigh
Thanks Dad he said to me
I new that if I talked to you
Jesus would answer me
My tears drops fell upon his cheek
Thanks Lord was all I could say
For in those moments with my son
Eternity was affected that day
The Quiet in My House
As I alone stood in the dark
No stillness did I disturb
Yet in my ears rang voices strong
Young faces in a blur
This place is yet so quiet now
Sanctuary now to reflect
Twelve hours past since they had come
Seeking for and finding respect
Some came to find the friendship lost
In a world seeking only self center
Others came only because they must
Or risk their parents censure
And in their haste to come and go
They saw themselves not me
I longed to lift their spirits
I had hoped to set them free
I continued on in silence
Stopping at each padded chair
And as I touched the fabric, I saw
The lives who had rested there
I saw the man pining for his child
That had come to be with me
He aches as any parent would
Blinded to what I see
There is the student behind the desk
Hands hide a tear stained face
The stolen test lies on the floor
It delays her parents disgrace
The good, the kind, they all are here
And they each have a song
That is sung by their special angel
As on earth they move along
They have a roll, they play a part
They sometimes never see
That in their fight to do what's right
Another soul believes
I see each one behind the mask
Reserved for the sabbath day
Their eyes, for me, they say it all
They hurt and it won't go away
If they would only look to me
Drink deeply from my cup
They wouldn't need to bow their head
They'd need only to look up
But of all the painful suffering
I see in each of these chairs
None can equal the pain I sense
When one refuses to know I'm there
I'm there when they can no longer go on
Can't face even one more day
I'm there when every baby smiles
When they open their hearts to pray
As I am and always have been
Will be for all their tomorrows
I long to take each hand in mine
And caress away all their sorrows
And as I turn to face the stage
And see the pastor's spot
I'm reminded of the courage it takes
To be the man my Father sought
It isn't an easy role to play
And that's as I intended
It takes a man a long long way
From the spot he was first befriended
Fore' he must give more than himself
Find strength he never knew
He must give away all that he owns
Trusting in me alone to renew
I see it all here in the dark
The gifts and those not given
I wait for them who will yet come
And those who are forgiven
As I return to my father's house
Return this church to the still
My peace continues upon this place
Each one loved as is my will
The End of the Day
Have you ever considered at the end of the day
The purpose of the work that you do
Have ever stopped thinking about the next urgent thing
That rises to block out your view
Is the noise from the silence driving you mad
As you gaze at your monitor's screen
Is your heart racing wildly as the telephone rings
And you sense you're alone on the team
How hard is it now to look in the mirror
And like the face that you see
And those faces that greet you as walk down the hall
Do they smile or just let you be
Is it all connected to the person inside
Or does the meaning seem lost
Do you resemble to roles that you play out each day
Or is there just too high a cost
Too busy to love, too busy to care
So many deadlines to meet
If only you could take a moment to stop
Is this the good life so sweet
Look at your child see the woman or man
That has blossomed in spite of neglect
Take a look at troubled and cold withdrawn spouse
Hollow words, to have and to hold and protect
Where did it go it was here at the start
Your values and integrity in view
But how many times did you compromise self
Stating to thine own self I'll be true
Till one day you woke and were hit with the truth
And found that your truth was a sham
For just keeping pace with the secular world
Is not part of a much greater plan
There is a life that adds purpose and calm
And gives peace in unsettling times
There is a love that removes all the pain
When you came up short in you mind
There's nothing you've done that isn't released
No weight that can't be removed
There is no forgiveness that will be withheld
No spirit that can't be improved
There is such a place at the end of your day
You can go and feel you're at peace
You are welcome right now to let it all go
Reach out and gain your release
Give it all to one who paid the great price
He knows how you feel all alone
He gave up His life and he rose up again
To give you and I a new home
So when you feel that you cannot go on
And all that you touch turns to stone
Remember that when all the world just turns way
With Jesus you're never alone
So look in the mirror and trust what you see
Look deeply and don't look away
For there is a winner who fell but went on
And knows peace at the end of the day
March 5, 1999
My Saviour's Call
There is a pathway in the woods
Protected by the trees
And on this day while stopping by
A little chapel called out to me
The morning there was quiet
Left still to simply be
Yet in this place right where I stood
My Lord was calling me
I saw His hand upon each leaf
His breath caressed my ear
And although it had not been my plan
Christ knew that I'd be there
I watched in wonder as His gentle breath
Gave life to each golden waving fan
And as each leaf fell to the ground
I felt witness to His Plan
There was a grayness to the day
And the sky was wet with tears
And yet the quiet solitude
Subdued my inner fears
I had not planned to be with Him
But with Him I would leave
For in spite of my secular crush
He would give me my reprieve
He drew me close as I moved to Him
Held by the chapel at the stream
I felt so welcome at His feet
Like no place I'd ever been
The crispness of the morning air
Could not betray His love
As warmth so calming surrounded me
The Saints beckoned me come
*Come to me with your heavy burden*
*Come and I'll give you rest*
And in the little chapel by the stream
The weight fell from my chest
I released the sin I held so close
Laid down my cross of weight
He had so long ago forgiven me
At last He set me straight
Peace welled up within me
Tears wet the sanctuary floor
And on my knees I gave to Him
What I could bear no more
It was but a few of my many minutes
But a lifetime shared with Him
His fingers then gently rattled the door
Reminding me to begin again
He called me back to the narrow path
His arm placed over me
And in the quiet of this autumn day
My Lord had rescued me
Back to my world of commitments
He wanted me to go
For I had just begun to plant
The seeds He'd have me sow
I will never feel alone again
After that quiet day in Fall
When by a little gentle stream
I answered my Saviour's call
September 30, 1998
A Simple Pastor
Looking back upon the road of life
Do you see a special place
Are you drawn to a certain moment
Or perhaps a special face
Can you recount some special blessing
That came when you were weak
Or a simple act of kindness
That left you not quite able to speak
Our Lord has many lessons
That He expects each of us to learn
And we all have had our moments
When we didn't no where to turn
But it was in those sacred moments
Between knowing and the fear
That's when a simple pastor's hand
Reached out to draw us near
I see him smiling at me
I see the pulpit and the pew
I am reminded that from so many
Our Lord chooses so very few
It is more than the friendship offered
It is deeper than lesson's taught
He is the gentle pastor
That God the Father sought
He came to live among us
And in him some found the Lord
Still others found new insight
In his music and The Word
Whatever lessons God has in store
We will abide with Him
Our fellowship is closer now
Because of Pastor Jim
Once more the Lord has spoken
A beginning and an end
You came to us as our pastor
But you leave us as our friend
December 12, 2000
There Are Deer in the Ravine
There are deer in the ravine today
Quietly watching
They test the wind for a hint of trouble
I am watching them
They seem to enjoy being free
There are no fences in their lives
I watch and as I do I feel glad that there is some freedom left
I long to go with them
Through the ravine and gone
Hidden from the world by being in it
Away and gone
No need to look back
I tell them to take me with them but they pay me no heed
They know I would just slow them down
Their hills are my mountains
My house their prison
They don't know their Maker
Today I know Him through them
There are bare trees in the ravine today
Undressed by the dance of autumn
They are free too
They stand their ground claiming a place where others come by chance
They point the way
They bid me come
There is a path through the ravine
It is the friend of the deer
It motions to me through the windswept tufts of grass
Long dead reminders of a more forgiving time
The trail weaves through the trees
Whispering sentinels guarding the way
The ravine is out there beyond my reach
Like an idea somewhere in the corner of my mind
Are there really any deer or have I simply willed them to be
Sent forth, gone on ahead, an expedition
Trees, brush strokes on a winter canvas
In the chill there is my God and me
December 21, 2000
A Young Man and His Dreams
It was just another day that day
When he came into the world
There were no brass bands playing
No banners there unfurled
The hospital was noisy
With the busyness of the ill
There was no one there to tell them
To hush and just be still
The quiet man didn't tell them
He was just too young to know
That almost before he came to them
Their child would wish to go
The young man had been ready
For a long time that he knew
He would be there to care for him
And watch him as he grew
The young man and his lady fair
Had prayed for such a day
And some time after 1 P.M.
He decided to come to stay
The traffic did not stop that day
To let the family by
But in the time they took him home
The baby didn't cry
The days turned quickly into years
The young man had his dreams
But it seemed that all that he was chasing
Were just someone else's schemes
Another town another job
The ladder and the rung
And then a little brother
To add to all his fun
And then one day it happened
This story not foretold
The young man and his lady fair
Over night had become old
And in his place another young man
Reached up to grab the ring
But through the old man's weary eyes
He sees the very same thing
He sees there that the future rests
On shoulders that went before
And standing from that vantage point
There's a threshold and a door
And he who knocks may just come in
As his life belongs to tomorrow
All the knowledge of the world
Leaves the old to feel their sorrow
For there is placed within each heart
The need for and to give love
A binding of the family
Created by the Savior's love
And so it goes as it always must
Like the flowing of the streams
The handing off of life itself
Found in the young man and his dreams
And in the end there starts anew
And once again we see
That life will come full circle
With a young man and his dream
For my dear son Michael on the occasion of your 22nd birthday.
God bless you my son. Love Dad.
January 13, 2001
Dancing with the Lilies
Look beyond the peaceful valley
Past the river cool and quick
Take a moment with your Savior
Stop and listen on your trip
Take the path that is less traveled
Though it may be steep and stoned
Yonder waits the high and low one
Take the trail that leads you home
In the silence thoughts come rushing
Some my leave you cold and numb
Give the pain to Him beside you
Don't give up until your done
There is a bridge across the waters
There is a reason to carry on
Even if the world disowns you
To our loving Jesus you belong
The mountains seem to stand forever
May in their majesty the Lord proclaim
Once you take the hand of Jesus
You will never be the same
Beyond these woods are many mysteries
And in the unknown dwell our fears
But its now we need to trust him
Open up and draw Him near
Do you want to cross the river
Many seek but few believe
Give Him all your threatening giants
He in return will give reprieve
Is your valley one of learning
Or in the quiet do you despair
I see the flowers go on rejoicing
Dancing freely without a care
There will be a time of leaving
Tow'ring spruce to building yield
Yet to His still small voice I'll listen
Dancing with the lilies in His field
July 7, 2001
Blow Chilly Wind
Reflections on Phillipians 4
Blow chilly wind
Wrap your fingers 'round my sole
Let silence fall
Faint memories come flooding in
And grief abounds
Blow chilly wind
Draw from me the warmth of better days
Who can see as colour fades
Pale clouds on a grey lifeless sky
And the pain returns
Blow chilly wind
Cold hands push upon my back
While the solitary man trudges on
Walking the fine line
And sadness stalks
Blow chilly wind
And seek my sole if you will
But there is yet a place the wind dare not go
Reach but not in haste
And the depth is plumbed
Blow on chilly wind
Blow away, blow on to where you must
But I will stand in my wretchedness before my God
Ache to numb, sensation returns
And the heart beats even yet
Blow on chilly wind
Sent from the other side of Eden
To turn thoughts from His face
Warmth shall persevere
And what was but a beat rejoices
Blow on chilly wind
Rush in to fill the void
While my God transcends my understanding
Hence the void is no more
And the peace of God is with me, within me
Blow on chilly wind
But not this day, not against this child
The Lord is near
I will put into practice what I have learned
And the wind blows chilly no more
July 24, 2003
These works are © Michael Hwozdecki
All rights reserved.
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