Phenomenal Woman

To all the women I know, old friends and new, this poem is for you. To the gents, we women love you too.

Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou

061011-f-0000m-001Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

grantmos2601_468x690I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
49f5f80e-aaac-47f9-9bd2-5b457a53df45What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
angelouJust why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

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2 Responses to “Phenomenal Woman”

  1. kufrog says:

    Anne,

    Thank you so much for this one. Maya Angelou is my favorie poet and an American treasure; not to mention one phenomenal woman herself.

    Amy

  2. Courtney says:

    I love this poem…FYI, when taking my lunch at work today I told my friend. “I’m a hungry poodle, I better to grab something to eat.”

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