Safe in Memory

We reach back in time to our darkest hour

Just seconds beyond the pain 

And draw from memory an incredible power

That words can barely explain 

Picked up all the pieces with a good look around

In time it was only a glance

Memories sweet can have laughter for sound

And sorrow brings words not by chance

The lessons we learn shine a subtle light

They shine it far and wide

Across the horizon in the dark of night

Over memories asleep inside

With all we learn from all we feel

We turn to look and see

Unlock the truth that we conceal

Kept safe in memory

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

From the light through those windows

Love in a world full of hatred

Trust in a world full of lies

Peel away fear the illusion 

And bring the light to your eyes

We never can fly so freely

With fear as a safety rope

As love will take the risk in trust

And turn it into hope

If we love despite the hatred

And trust despite the lies

We'll see through the illusion 

A world without disguise 

These words are not to sway you

Or have you think my way

I shine them through the darkness

To share the light of day...

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...


Inspired by a friend
Photo Origin Unknown  

Rhymes of the Politically Insane

They speak and they write in this language they've made

A game will keep going as long as it's played

"We'll use lots of words they will not comprehend 

And keep adding pages so they can't find the end"

They're shaven and slippery and shiny it's true

They all speak a language not suited for you

They think that the truth is a slap on the hand

With laws made to follow but not understand

This bureaucratic language so fluently used

Is riddled with deception and often abused

The reason it's confusing is simple you see

So I'll hire someone to read it for me

From volumes of jargon in mountains of books

From the wealthiest well dressed arrogant crooks

The truth is the simplest thing to neglect

As soon as it's gone you'll get no respect

Wealthy and greedy with not much between

A reflection of honesty has yet to be seen

What's right and what's wrong can be all the same

In the riddles and rhymes of the politically insane...

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

Illustration by Alex Hahn

We Share

The love that we show to our family and friends

Warms each heart to which it extends 

Finding a way to show that you care
Will guide the lost from the depths of despair

From just a smile or a simple hello

The magic of kindness begins to flow

In all I have been and all I will be

I'll show the love that was shown to me

Take what's been given and don't be afraid

From love and from kindness, friendship is made

Flowing like a river to the ocean shore

We share our love because that's what it's for

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

I Am Love

I am love I am not fear

I'm the gentle words you always say

But never get to hear

I am hope I'm not despair

I'll always try to understand

When no one seems to care

I am strong I am not weak

I'll find the truth and you will know

The answers you may seek

I am light I am not dark

Both bold and glowing like the sun

And tiny as a spark

I am love, alive and real

I taught you how to tell the world 

Exactly how you feel

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

The Light

They're all looking for the same thing

You can see it in their eyes

The gentle touch upon their cheek

Of the teardrops that they cry

They only hope that they may see

The sunrise through the night

This light you see is from the soul

It shines so very bright

Give it time and so it seems

You've given quite a gift

To say a word the heart may feel

The spirit you will lift

Take the time and use it well

For the moment may arise

And when the light it shines on you

Just open up your eyes...

Copyright 1993

Archie Papa...

I Will

I will do right for my children

I will learn and I will grow

I will stand by my convictions

I'll be fearless in the eyes of those against us

I will use my intuition 

I will see and I will act

I will use my better judgment 

I'll be truthful as the lies pile all around us

I will listen very closely 

I will try to understand 

I will give all my attention 

I'll do everything with love, you know I will...

Copyright 1993

Archie Papa...

I'll Say That I Love You

If I said that I love you

Please don't run away

That which I feel

Brings the words that I say

Friendship is born

From love in the heart

Glowing and warm

Right from the start

Please understand

I won't take a thing

Life is like music

And love lets us sing

The love we are given

From our very first day

Help us find words

Our hearts wish to say

I'll say that I love you

I'll not be afraid

With love and with kindness

This friendship was made

As far as you travel

And all you may do

Always remember

I love you

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

Intertwined

Love is to the heart, as the sun is to the day

Fun is to a child, as the words to what we say

Time is to a moment, as the rain is to the sea

Flight is to an eagle, as the honey to a bee

The flame is to a candle, as the tree is to a leaf

Life is to the living just as God is to belief

Smoke is to the fire, as the neon to the sign

Mist is to the morning, as the bottle to the wine

Snow is to the winter, as the beach is to the sand

The pen is to the paper as the fingers to your hand

Listening is to understanding, as the vein is to the blood

The bullet is to the pistol as the river to the flood

Summer is to sunshine, as the hour to the glass

The rose is to the garden as the mower to the grass

The sky is to the sunrise, as the shadow to the light

And nothing becomes everything, as today becomes tonight 

Copyright 1993 (under the title Think About It)

Archie Papa

__________________________

If Love Were a Planet

If love were a planet

We'd all get along

Our words would be spoken

As lyric in song

The rain would fall gently

And then clear away

Not hardly a cloud

For the rest of the day

The wind would be gentle

It tickles the trees

You'd almost hear laughter

In the afternoon breeze

As the sun sets

The colors amaze

So vivid and vast 

The clouds set ablaze 

We'll soon fall asleep

To crickets in tune

We'll wake in the morning

Not a minute too soon

Warm as the sunshine

With blue skies above 

Forever we'll live

On this planet of love

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

Each Moment Past

Have you ever stopped to think of where the moments past have gone

have you ever wondered where they all could go

You'll never find an answer if you never wonder why

they can't just pass away somewhere, someone has got to know

Maybe they got lost somewhere just wandering in the dark

they can't just all be gathering in the past

No matter what you do you'll never speed them on their way

and just the same you'll never make one last

When we are young they're in front of us and standing there in line

slowly passing everyday and always one by one

They'll sneak right up then run away, sometimes so far away

the more that pass you so it seems the older you become

The moments fill our memories, they're all we really have

that's where they are, that's where I think they go

Each minute holds a memory and holds it for dear life

through all the days and all the years, up to a minute ago...

Copyright 1993

Archie Papa...

In Your Eyes

If I could look into your eyes

All that I may see

Fear could not hold it's disguise 

With reasons all set free

Just a glance and I would know

Taking not a thing

Through the eyes the soul we show

As we show everything

Not a word is better said

Words only what they mean

We are books that we have read

The rest it must be seen

So take a look into my eyes

Take anything you see

Without fear and it's disguise 

We set the reasons free

Copyright 2014

Archie Papa...

A Memory of a Friend

              


If up were down and in were out
Where rain won't fall and whispers shout
If good were bad and left were right
With the moon all day and the sun all night

Eyes closed shut I'd see it all
Feet on the ground we'd surely fall
If I don't know I'd have a clue
I'll think of me and look at you

If I were you and they were us
We'd never say what we discuss
I'd always lose if I had won
Standing still so fast I'll run

So turn around and you will see
Close your eyes and look at me
Together we all stand alone
Energy within this flesh and bone

The future comes, the past is gone
As right now moves it's always on
Friends I hope that we will be
When now becomes a memory

Copyright 2014
Archie Papa...

Blame

Terms, needs, and legalities 

Then I'll mention taxes for realities

Pollution, drugs, and the economy 

Blame it on you before you blame it on me

Fear, lies, and a new disease

You won't think it's funny when you're begging please

Love, anger, and poverty

Blame it on you before you blame it on me

Life, death, and cruelty 

There is no truth in justice if you're asking me

Money, greed, and the hypocrisy

Blame it on you before you blame it on me

Copyright 1993

Archie Papa...