Stay little, my little Black boy

They say nursing your baby to sleep creates a bad habit. That the child will not learn to sleep on their own and rely on you for comfort.

Tonight, and every night until you grow too old, I will nurse you to sleep. I will tuck one arm under your head and hold your little body against mine and rub your back with the other. I will be your comfort. I will sing as you suckle and grunt your little voice at me. I will kiss your curls and every night the last thing you’ll hear is, “I love you”.

Stay little, my little Black boy.

They say a child should sleep in their own beds. That falling asleep with you will teach them to be reliant on you for comfort. So, once you grow too old to nurse, I will tuck my arm under your head, hold your little body against mine and rub your back. I will be your comfort. I will whisper lullabies in your ear and kiss your curls as I watch your chest move up and down with every sweet breath.

Stay little, my little Black boy.

They say if you are too gentle with a boy, that he will rely on you forever. So, once you grow too big to want to share a bed with me, I will wrap my arms around you, I will hold your little body close to mine and rub your back. I will be your comfort. I will kiss your curls and every night the last thing you’ll hear is, “I love you”.

Stay little, my little Black boy.

For when you grow, the world becomes uncomfortable with your magic. You are powerful, you are strong. You are light and you are joy, my little Black boy. So, for as long as I am here, I will be your comfort.