Surreal

Deep

Comedy

Anxiety

Dereck Pritchard 9/28/25 Dereck Pritchard 9/28/25

Stitched Hearts

Two small words: “theater nerd”,

Spark lit fast, flame was stirred.

One thread pulled, our faiths align,

Silence broken, your heart met mine.

At dawn I speak, your weight is light,

Torchy’s touch makes dark feel bright.

We laugh in threads, the sound is near,

A bond that grows, both hold it dear.

Your humor sparks, I can’t disguise,

A quiet fire burning behind my eyes.

Each pull sears, no spaces to defend,

Two stitched hearts, aching to mend.

Dreams entwine where shadow parts,

Oasis found in our stitched hearts.

Through every thread, our lives extend,

Two stitched hearts the stars commend.

Hands once empty can now intertwine,

Softened paths through love’s design.

In storms we walk, through calm we stay,

Two stitched hearts that light the way.

Through every night, morning’s gleam,

You are my light, my constant dream.

In every stitch, love’s truth is seen,

Forever bright, you, my Sunbeam.

Dreams made real, it’s okay to cry,

Love’s true journey lifts us high.

With every dawn, our souls renew,

Two stitched hearts, forever true.

Dereck Pritchard 9/28/25 Dereck Pritchard 9/28/25

Ache

I ache for your weight

settled in my lap,

your head on my chest,

home where it belongs.

I ache for the shower,

steam rising like prayer,

your body in my arms,

water blessing every kiss.

I ache for the aftercare,

your back beneath my hands,

fingers soothing the fire,

holding you steady, whole.

I ache for your hunger,

not for scraps of love,

but for the feast we make

in touch, in trust, in us.

I ache for your laughter,

the way it lifts me,

your eyes catching mine,

a flame I never douse.

I ache for your blush,

when “good boy” lingers,

when you know I see you,

and still want more.

I ache for your freedom,

to be wanted, to be full,

to be Sunbeam and beloved,

without apology.

I ache, Torchy to Sunbeam,

not just for your body,

but for the miracle of you,

aching back for me.

Dereck Pritchard 9/12/25 Dereck Pritchard 9/12/25

Scars

Your scars never need repair,

A steady hand in your hair.

Fear doesn’t live within walls,

Demons buffed within its halls.

We both have our own storm,

Power gains, controls form.

Light in the starry twilight sky,

Protection woven in albeit shy.

Twilight begins with love’s dew,

This will start something new.

Shadows loosening their grip,

Soft kiss against tender hip.

Strength comes without force,

Space to be free within course.

Tracing circles on tender backs,

Drying tears on faded cracks.

Carried courage without tracks,

Burdens drop, shoulders relax.

In the weight of secure love,

It fits on you just like a glove.

I’ll protect you, in fire and flame,

Your heart never is the same.

I’ll be the shield to your soul,

Scars once present, they roll.

Dereck Pritchard 8/18/25 Dereck Pritchard 8/18/25

Crimson Roses, Hues of Blue

Crimson roses, gentle hues of blue,

Each moment with you feels refreshingly new.

Your smile brightens my life, your touch soothes my nights.

In your embrace, I’ve discovered love’s delights.

Your eyes, like stars, sparkle in the dark,

Guiding me through, even without a spark.

Your voice, a sweet melody, pure and true,

Expressing your love in all that you do.

Our hearts beat together, in perfect time,

In this dance of love, forever you’re mine.

With every new day, my love for you grew,

Crimson roses, gentle hues of blue, I’ll cherish forever, just being with you.

Dereck Pritchard 8/17/25 Dereck Pritchard 8/17/25

Promise of Now

With fleeting breath, find my ground,

Promised heart wound tight, spellbound.

Answers I hold, though none are heard,

Answers lie within, just not with a word.

Looking back to past mistakes, they call,

Can’t dwell in this past long, it’s a wall.

Firm roots, planted on the ground,

In shadows past, new wounds abound.

Eyes dart ahead, the future in tow,

Endless promises, o how they glow.

Firm roots, planted on the ground,

In mirrors light, now will be found.

In the present, I find my place,

Shadows stretch, I need not chase.

In the present, I find my grace,

Mirrors light, should not race.

Pasts behind with future unknown,

Promise of now, I do not walk alone.

Futures ahead with past time shown,

Promise of today, will not disown.

Dereck Pritchard 8/13/25 Dereck Pritchard 8/13/25

The Weight of Tolerance

Tolerated, like chalk on teeth,

we bite our tongues, breath is weak.

“Love the sinner,” they smile and pray,

while shoving our full selves away.

Patience frays, a threadbare shroud,

as whispers slice through Sunday crowds.

“Just endure,” the robed ones press,

while our bright edges come unstitched.

No more bowing at pulpits’ feet,

our worth was ne’er theirs to keep.

We rise, not as their unwelcome guest,

but wholly ours, and self-possessed.

Let them clutch their hollow creed,

we’ll plant our truth like stubborn seed.

Not tolerated, but embraced.

We stand. Unmoved. Unchased.