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,
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 for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
From And Still I Rise by Dr Maya Angelou
Rest in peace, you truly phenomenal woman x
[Photo from MayaAngelou.com]
extraordinary and fabulous… thanks so much for sharing this today…and RIP Maya…
Wonderful! Oh, how we are going to miss her!
She brought pure light to this earth…
I really love this poem too, and this wonderful woman’s wise words. Completely beautiful. XXX
Thanks a lot for sharing this poem!
Love, love, love!! Thank you for posting this.
all time favorite! read this at my grandmother’s memorial. it was the perfect tribute to another most phenomenal women
Aaah, love, love, love this poem! I’ve seen so many great quotes over the past days and this poem is so beautiful. Definitely need to explore more of Maya Angelou’s work! xx