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