Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

...........................

..................... Phenomenal Woman

..................Pretty 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.

..................I 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
..................What 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
..................Just 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.

..........Maya Angelou

............
Angelou reciting her poem, "On the Pulse of Morning,"
at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, 1993
She has been highly honored for her body of work,
including being awarded over 30 honorary degrees.

Think all women are phenomenal,in our own style and grace,thanks for a great share Bev

Dori

Oh you're right, Dori . . . Maya is one of my favorite contemporary poets - this being an exceptional poem from her . ..

Oh gos this has always been one of my forgotten favorites.......thanks for bringing it back to me...gosh it's been years since I've read that one!

This poem has so much power in it I love it... Thanks Bev... It's one of those poems that just makes you feel good you know...