Colors

Two years gone and half a year
Silence screams I want to hear
Your voice your laugh your everything
My baby girl my everything

Toxic you said
Narcissistic instead

Daughter mine 
Where did we fail?
Daughter mine
Behind this veil

Of anger pain and bitter tears
Answer me across the years
Daughter mine

I took a side I know I did
But darlin’ girl you were my kid
A father’s love is blind you see
It couldn’t let your heart just be

Daughter mine 
Where did we fail?
Daughter mine 
Behind this veil

Of anger pain and bitter tears
Answer me across the years

Daughter mine

I’m sorry for the lines I crossed
The boundaries broken what it cost
I never meant to cause you pain
Just wanna see you smile again

Copyright John Eric Williams 2025 All Rights Reserved

Daughter Mine.m4a

Trapped in a tiny little space
Where the sides are not even 
The bottom drops out 
And there’s nothing above to embrace 

When I want to go forward
And I think I can 
There are forces inside me 
And around me 
Can’t follow a plan 

What I need is my dream to ignite 
Into particles made of all colors and light 
Pouring over the space that I’m in
So my life can begin 

I don’t want you to watch me 
Or listen to what I have planned 
Till it’s done being drafted 
I don’t want to risk my ideas be canned 

Copyright John Eric Williams 2025 All Rights Reserved

Trapped.m4a

There was a time 
When everything was all right 
Tomorrow yesterday this morning last night 

Just want to be 
I need to be 
All I want is to be 

There was a moment 
No one needed to fight 
We wanted nothing in return 
That moment seemed right 

Just want to be 
I need to be 
All I want is to be 

I’m doing everything
Concerned that I might 
Do something I shouldn’t do 
But it’s all right 

My mind is on the past year 
The next month … a past life
On all the troubles of the world 
Oh my God  (where’s the knife)

Just want to be 
I need to be 
All I want is to be 

To be in the now 
I want to see 
Someone please show me how 

How to be 
I need to see 
Won’t you please
Set me free? 

Copyright John Eric Williams 2025 All Rights Reserved

Be.m4a

Silent phone, empty chair
Memories frozen in the air
Two years gone, still feels like yesterday
When I crossed that line, pushed you away
Your anger burns, a wall between us
My heart aches, longing to mend us
Granddaughters growing, out of reach
Time slips by, lessons to teach

I've said sorry a thousand times
But words can't erase my crimes
Stubborn hearts on both sides
Leaving love to wither and die

Can you hear me calling?
Through the silence, I'm falling
Toxic, you say, but I'm trying to change
Give me one more chance to rearrange

Pictures fade on the mantelpiece
Of happier days, family at peace
Now accusations fill the space
Where once there was a warm embrace

I dream of holding you close again
To right the wrongs, to ease the pain
But pride and hurt keep us apart
As time slowly breaks my heart

I've said sorry a thousand times
But words can't erase my crimes
Stubborn hearts on both sides
Leaving love to wither and die

Can you hear me calling?
Through the silence, I'm falling
Toxic, you say, but I'm trying to change
Give me one more chance to rearrange

Copyright 2025 John Eric Williams All Rights Reaerved

Hear me Calling.m4a

Found her lighting toothpicks 
I thought it strange until it clicked 
She didn’t want to be okay
A little drama another day. 
Is it always gonna be like this?
Is it always gonna be this way?

She took a little Ambien
To check out quick and end the day. 

Then she started doing everything 
she would never normally pick. 
Once she took the Vicodin 
She felt no pain and gave no shit 

I would catch her lighting toothpicks. 
To visitors, she’d show her tits 
I asked her what the hell she thought 
She looked at me as if she had not

Is it always gonna be like this?
Is it always gonna be this way?

Copyright by John Eric Williams 2025 All Rights Reserved

Escape

I am who I am, 
in a world that feels cold,  
My heart's full of gold, 
yet I'm feeling so old.  

Come from a place 
where love should abide,  
But the words that I speak, 
seem to push you aside.

Intentions so pure, 
just struggling to stay,  
But I'm drowning in shadows, 
as you turn away.

I’ve loved with my whole, 
yet I’m treated like a ghost,  
Cast into silence, 
abandoned the most.  

But deep down I know, 
there's a light in my soul,  
Hoping someday, 
I could finally feel whole.

They say that I'm toxic, 
that I wear a facade,  
When all I've been seeking 
is acceptance, not nods.  

This journey's been heavy, 
with burdens I bear,  
Yet still, I reach out, 
hoping someone will care.

Casted aside with a 
heart that won't mend,  
While echoes of love fade, 
I still crave a friend.

I’ve loved with my whole, 
yet I’m treated like a ghost,  
Cast into silence, 
abandoned the most. 

But deep down I know, 
there's a light in my soul,  
Hoping someday, 
I could finally feel whole.

I’ll rise from these ashes, 
embrace who I am,  
No matter the pain, 
I still take a stand.

Copyright by John Eric Williams 2025 All Rights Reserved

Done Here.m4a

I sit alone 
with memories so clear,
Each laugh, each tear, 
I hold them near.

Patterns woven in 
the stories I weave,
But the truth remains, 
I just want to believe.

In echoes of love, 
I find the hurt,

Oh, I miss my daughter, 
I’m haunted by the past,
Seeking understanding, 
while shadows hold me fast.

Worthy of their love, 
I reclaim my voice,
In a world of chaos, 
I still rejoice.

Conflicted hearts, 
shadows in the light,
I've stood for justice, 
but lost the fight.

Her anger blinds her 
to my pain inside,
Twisting my love, 
where hurts collide.

Yet I seek a dawn 
where hope will shine,

Oh, I miss my daughter, 
I’m haunted by the past,
Seeking understanding, 
while shadows hold me fast.

Worthy of their love, 
I reclaim my voice,
In a world of chaos, 
I still rejoice.

So here I stand, 
with love as my guide,
Through the storms of life, 
I’ll never hide. 

Copyright 2025 By John Eric Williams
All Rights Reserved

Reclaiming My Voice.m4a

I see the distance growing wide,  
The silence cuts me like a knife,  
I'm standing here on the other side,  
Longing for the joys of our life.  
I miss our marathon conversations,  
The stories shared, the laughter's glow,  
Time has drifted with all the frustrations,  
But Daddy's girl, I need you to know.  

I remember the way we used to dream,  
But now it's shadows filling this space,  
You're angry, and it’s so extreme,  
Just open your heart and embrace.  

I miss our marathon conversations,  
The stories shared, the laughter's glow,  
Time has drifted with all the frustrations,  
But Daddy's girl, I need you to know.  

These years are slipping, I’m not getting younger,  
Each moment lost weighs heavy on me,  
Your stubborn heart's been pulling us under,  
Let love in and set us free.  

I miss our marathon conversations,  
The stories shared, the laughter's glow,  
Time has drifted with all the frustrations,  
But Daddy's girl, I need you to know.  

So I’m standing here, reaching out wide,  
With open arms, won't you let me inside?  
I miss my granddaughters, can’t you see?  
Let love take over, let it be.

Copyright by John Eric Williams 2025 
All Rights Reserved

Marathon.m4a

I remember the days 
we laughed in the sun,  
But now silence fills the room, 
and we’re hardly one.  

Your anger like a shadow, 
it hangs in the air,  
I’m reaching out, 
but it feels like I’m nowhere.  
  
I crossed a line 
that I shouldn’t have walked,  
Now I’m left here wondering, 
wishing we talked.  
  
I’m sorry, daddy's girl, 
won’t you hear my plea?  
I never meant to hurt you; 
come back to me.  

Through the storms and the silence, 
let’s find our way,  
I miss the little moments, 
the laughs every day.  
  
I know I made mistakes, 
and I own them all,  
But love’s like a river, 
let it break down the wall.  

Your silence is deafening, 
it cuts like a knife,  
Let’s mend what we have, 
breathe light back into life.  
  
I promise you I’m real, 
just a father who cares,  
With every heartbeat, 
I’m sorry for my snares.  
  
I’m sorry, daddy's girl, 
won’t you hear my plea?  
I never meant to hurt you; 
come back to me.  

Through the storms and the silence, 
let’s find our way,  
I miss the little moments, 
the laughs every day.  
  
We’re lost in this moment, 
but love can be found,  
Let’s wipe away the tears, 
turn our hearts around.  

I’ll wait for you, darling, 
however long it takes,  
Together we’ll mend; 
these bonds, we won’t break.  
  
I’m sorry, daddy's girl, 
won’t you hear my plea?  
I never meant to hurt you; 
come back to me.  

Through the storms and the silence, 
let’s find our way,  
I miss the little moments, 
the laughs every day.  
  
So here I am waiting, 
please don’t close the door,  
I’m still your father, 
and I love you more.  

Let’s find the light 
in this tangled up world,  
And come back together, 
my sweet daddy’s girl.

Copyright 2025 by John Eric Williams
All Rights Reserved

Daddys Girl.m4a

Why must I justify 
my soul's desire?

Tangled in the thoughts 
that pull me higher,
A restless heart 
that seeks to be alone,

Wrestling with shadows 
that feel like home.
For the same reasons, 
I sketch my own fate,

Just a breath away 
from feeling great.

Just want to break free 
from these chains I bear,
Just want to breathe, 
feel the weight in the air.

Just want to be real, 
let my truth unfold,
Just want to exist, 
let my story be told.

Why do I owe you words 
for how I feel?
Wrapped in your reasons, 
can’t they heal?

Refusing to live 
in a fragile disguise,

Carrying burdens 
behind these tired eyes.
Maybe the secret 
is finding my way,
To escape the guilt, 
let it fade away.

Just want to break free 
from these chains I bear,
Just want to breathe, 
feel the weight in the air.

Just want to be real, 
let my truth unfold,
Just want to exist, 
let my story be told.

Just want to be myself, 
let silence recite,
Lost in my thoughts, 
till day turns to night.

Copyright 2025 John Eric Williams 
All Rights Reserved

justify.m4a

Started piano at age 6 and added violin and alto sax to my musical reality through my early grade school, added Baratone bugle to the mix and toured the greater USA with the Freelancers Drum & Bugle in the mid 70s. After high school, I pursued a music degree, including theory and vocal training, played keyboards/synth and backup vocals for a local rock & roll band playing various well known cover band material from the 70s and 80s. 

Film Composer for dozens of independent films in Northern California in 2000-2006.

Composed and performed for weddings and special occasions.

justify.m4a

John Eric Williams

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