he said ani, you've gotten tough

'cause my tone was curt

yeah, and when i'm approached in a dark alley

i don't lift my skirt

in this city

self-preservation

is a full time occupation

i'm determined

to survive on this shore

you know i don't

avert my eyes anymore

in a man's world

i am a woman by birth

and after nineteen times around i have found

they will stop at nothing once they know what you are worth

talk to me now

i played the powerless

in too many dark scenes

and i was blessed with a birth and a death

and i guess i just want some say in between

don't you understand

in the day to day

and the face to face

i have to act

just as strong as i can

just to preserve a place

where i can be who i am

so if you still know how

talk to me now