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