Talk To Me Now Lyrics - Ani Difranco - Ani Difranco

He said, "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 the 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 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 wanted 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.