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