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
This poem has traveled all over with me – tacked to the bulletin board above my study desk, taped to the wall at the appartment I rented while working in Mumbai, on my office desk, in my closet…so how could it not be on my blog?
Got a poem that’s traveled with you everywhere? Tell me about it in the comments!
Glad to finally make it here to your wonderful blog. I love Maya Angelou and have read everything she’s written. I will be following you as per our group assignments.
Have a great week!
Elizabeth – Team Lamby/Hare/WeLuvWordpress
Welcome Elizabeth! 🙂 I love Maya Angelou too, though I don’t think I’ve been able to read everything she’s written. Her poetry, though, is absolutely brilliant!
I actually don’t have a poem that’s traveled everywhere with me. But I do love what self-confidence does to and for a woman, so this poem is perfect in every way!
Just stopped by via SITS/Blog Frog.
I happened to come across this point at a time when my self-confidence was at a low. When I read it, it was like someone had jerked me awake and shown me the way. That’s the main reason why I always keep it around me – so that it serves as a constant reminder of what a phenomenal woman is, and I don’t buy into the stick thin look promoted by fashion magazines again. Thanks for stopping by!
I love that poem, how beautiful. I can’t say that I have a poem that has traveled everywhere with me. The book that does though is Anne of Green Gables. I’ve always loved Anne’s innocense and quirkiness and free spirit.
I know that I’ve read this book – I just cannot remember the plot right now! Off to check it out on Wikipedia!
Love love LOVE this poem. Olivia Newton-John recorded it as a song, and it’s fabulous.
Oooh! I have to look for the song!
This is my favorite poem. I was going to put it on my blog last week and forgot. I think it’s too cool that I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently and BOOM here it is!
Thanks for sharing it.
Kinda like how it says in The Secret, huh? 😉 Here’s the Law of Attraction in action!!