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