_____ by ADC

Maybe this is how it will be. We will fade away easily and go from this life
to the next, from this love to the next, run seamlessly like liquid from right
now to tomorrow, and maybe baby you will lie when you and your dawgs pass me
on the street cat-call and act like you don't know me save face forget to
mention that ova there's pussy you already had and a woman you once dated

But you will sneak a glance over your slightly hunched shoulders in that
split second when nobody's looking and maybe baby you will still see me,
woman that I am, nubian queen posing as a poet, and maybe you will hate the
little smile that edges at the corners of my mouth because I know the truth
will never pass willingly from your own lips and so I see the shame the
regret that nobody else will ever see

Maybe you will be reluctant to turn back around but I know that you will
nevertheless soaking up all that you can in that little space of time
wanting to lick your lips and come over to me say something anything smile
even to mask the discordant lull of your emotions but you won't, turning the
corner trying to re-immerse yourself in the world of mindless chatter and
secret fantasies burning up in the hot July sun.

And your shoes will hit the pavement heavy and in slow motion like lead and
maybe baby you will hear everything that everyone is saying but really hear
nothing at all just roaring noises city noises taxicabs a new cut by DMX the
ghetto fabulous people in the hood proclaiming themselves while perspiration
trails from your hairline to your sideburns to your jaw and heat from the
asphalt vibrates from below travelling upwards making your pussy swoon and
sweat pinch and pulsate inside your panties.

Maybe that's how it will be. We will fade away easily and go from this life
to the next from this love to the next run seamlessly like liquid from right
now to tomorrow and maybe baby you will try to forget that you saw me try
not to want a dime piece of pleasure and a nickelbag of funk be too afraid
to mention me to your friends and tell them about the day-time drama that
was our relationship and maybe you will think about stepping to me more than
once as our paths cross on 14th Street.

But you won't say a damn thing not a word about how you got left by the bad
babe in total control of herself who just walked by remember these are your
dawgs and you can't afford to lose face so you pass up the opportunity for
some pounds from your posse and act like you don't know me never knew me
never loved me no you will keep quiet stay silent caught in mid-flight and
stopped mortified by your own thirst protected by the lie that tries to lick
the lust and longing from your lips.

Or maybe it will be me who holds you back stone cold in your tracks with the
look in my eyes keeping you from steppin telling you to keep on walkin and
maybe just maybe baby you will love me and hate me all in one instant one
bone-crushing heart-squeezing blow because of the woman holding my hand and
all hugged up on my side and you will wanna step but can't disrespect no
disrespect and that's how it will be brief and painful for you…me and she
reminding you of a "we" that no longer exists my body representing the
object of your desire and she is the position you want to fill the who what
where you want to be.

That's how it will be. We will fade away easily and go from this life to the
next from this love to the next run seamlessly like liquid from right now to
tomorrow watch silently as we diminish and disappear from a time that once
was into a time that has now passed.

Copyright © 2000. Used by permission of author. All Rights Reserved.