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Maya Angelou (4 April 1928)
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.
Read poems about / on: woman, women, hair, smile, fire, joy, sun
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Maya Angelou
glad to read a truly enjoyable piece.. hoping to see more of ur work....
I am glad and feel privileged that this poem has found me reading it yesterday. Every woman in this world should say aloud the world PHENOMENAL........
Madam, I am a new poet and I'm only fifteen years old.
I want you to read my poems and comment.
THIS IS A REQUEST
Thank you.
you are a Phenomenal woman always will be i admire you and you inspired me and alot people
all your poems are wonderful and unique! ! ! you are my favorite poet! ! !
Fabulous poem, Every women should read this poem
Simply Beautiful! ! ! Ms. Angelou. You are more than an inspiration to me that words cannot express. It would be more than an Honor for you to read my writings and comment, whether good or bad, as I've always said to myself, nothing is bad worth writing down and sharing.
feminism who fights against racism.
this heart totally goes to you, Dr. Maya Angelou :)
feminism who fights against racism.
this heart totally goes to you, Dr. Maya Angelou :)
Great Poem, thank you. I feel this Poem fits life as I have seen it. There are powerful and phenomenal women within our presence and this Poem helps describes, to some extent, the seeds of power. I am a man. I ask of other men: Have you not met a women who takes your breath away? And you may wonder why, well this Poem may help understand why.
Love the poem. But, unfortunately, I note that it still contains vestiges of patriarchy. Three of the four stanzas refer to the impression that she makes on men. As if she, as a woman, were to derive her value from men. Hence, the reliance on men works at cross purposes to the moral of the poem, that a woman's value comes from within.