Haleema'S Song

The way the Bamako sand made the sunset silver, walahi
I swear to what my eyes did see
Sipping Bissap in the shade of the baobab tree
At the diplomat with B, mad gassed like that's Toumani!
Trouble in the north, heard their sending down the army
Round the compound the scene was cammo print and khaki
Fonik had the 4-wheel, marabou on the car key
Pheno rolling like the Malian Marley
The soundman called Salat, time to pray
Dem Baye Fall ways, soon was sweaty after the steamer
Just signed and sealed my last letter to J
Was around them days when I first met Haleema
Damnhow could I ever have forgotten
How you stepped in the room with your dutch wax cotton
Grandmother's gold and your head wrapped tight
gbing gbing!
Darlin I just wanna be a friend
Type tranquil in text just kept to wheres and whens
Rode the SOTRAMA from the centre out of ends
Searching the city for a sister setting trend
Wha-la-long-leng grinding like gods gift on dem
The steady of your presence stay staggering them men
You turn your back like  really what's that say about them 
Conversations with family, society demanding
Why must you walk alone?
A queen in your iron frame throne
You laugh at how fate had you answer the phone
And less than 2 weeks later we find we are here
Must be a sign of something
Let us not make assumptions dear
Stop frontin
Let us not make assumptions here
It aint nuttin

Water and a soft on the sides - words weighted 
Eye vision oracle wide  unsated
We make plans for a reprieve, a likkle wonder
Though in town your family pride is a flare
Sat with me though you shouldn't be seen round here
Had a tailor cut me slacks cut custom wear
In photos you showed me your aura blend with sun
Vision can't be held by lens
We share blood and body can't help but love them all 
Yet still can't make amends 
So been doing your own thing
From quick-dye hair to rings that start battles 
Rode out on mood swings
From Timbuktu to Bamako 
Never seen the mountains, never seen the sea nor snow
You'll travel til your heart does know
One day, inshallah, I might see you where I stay
And if fate say no
May the memory never leave me sad
We can't miss what we never had

My head a cloud of couldas nonetheless
Cos real talk there's a wisdom and a steady I miss
So as your image turn soft go mist
I'm painting portraits in any which way Haleema
I thought about you today Haleema 
Them days still with me today