in the alley light a cigarette
like it's going to protect me
an announcement to the danger in waiting
don't fuck with me
shoulders back, breathe,
feet on a steady beat
move forward to the light

I live on these side streets
so nobody hears me
don't make me kitty genovese
I call out
you think someone will save me

I jingle my keys
like it'll deter him approaching
I take off my heels
to prepare for the running
I think about it every day
it never goes away
I think about it every single day