I gaze upon the little boy
I watch him as he sleeps
I think of all the things he knows
The knowledge that he reaps
I do my best to teach him well
To teach him wrong from right
I tell him not to judge the others
Merely based on sight
I tell him everybody’s different
But different isn’t bad
In fact it’s quite the opposite
A reason to be glad
To celebrate the differences
To accept them one and all
For when it comes right down to it
The differences are small
I want him to embrace the “other”
Not to run and hide
To understand that good and bad
Don’t depend upon the side
I want him to internalize
The importance of respect
That being kind to others
Can have profound effect
I know it’s not so simple
To shape a little boy
To try to pass on values when
He’d rather play with toys
But as I watch him slumber
Dreaming through the night
The best that I can do
Is hope I’ve got it right
