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Phenomenal Woman

Posted April 14, 2008 at 06:00 PM by Alexandra Haller

Section: Her Health, Body Image, Her Motivation, Her Story, Special Features

April is National Poetry Month. In the spirit of celebration, HAL continues to bring you poetry written by amazing women. This week’s poem, by Maya Angelou, rejoices in what it means to be a woman. She believes that one doesn’t need to look a certain way or act in a certain manner to be a beautiful and powerful woman. She derives strength from her uniqueness and recognizing her own courage and honesty. This is a lyrical piece that will make every woman step back and remember how phenomenal they truly are.

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.

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Tags: body image, maya angelou, perception, phenomenal woman, poetry, self-acceptance, strength, women

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