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Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou   
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Phenomenal Woman

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  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


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Read poems about / on: woman, women, hair, smile, fire, joy, sun

 
  Comments about this poem (Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou )
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  Mohammad Daraghmeh  (2/4/2010 9:47:00 AM)

finally a poem about women. Very nice piece. Please check out my poem. Im new and would love some comments:

http: //www.poemhunter.com/poem/this-was-always-hard-for-me-to-say/
  Victoria Mbali  (2/1/2010 11:16:00 AM)

ohhh wow i say cause i'm a women of pride and i'm proud of you, i feel like standing up right now and embrace who i am, god.......... i love you keep writing.
  Jodie Pollock  (1/29/2010 4:28:00 AM)

amazing poem.. i really liked it.. and i believe that any woman call relate to that.. no matter what their situation is.. your an inspiration to many x
  Karan Singh  (1/27/2010 10:59:00 PM)

Men want to marry this type of woman - and if they don't? Then I would question the authenticity of their relationship with their masculinity.
  Natasha Phillips  (1/21/2010 7:34:00 PM)

This is a really uplifting poem for women with esteem issues.
  David Mountain  (1/17/2010 2:51:00 AM)

I'm in awe of the phenomenal - really well fashioned and amusing.

David M
  Rin Tina  (1/12/2010 11:26:00 PM)

I like it.: D Although I don't quite agree with the sentiment that men 'fall to their knees' (it makes them sound pathetic) I can relate. Sometimes, the way you hold yourself gives off a powerful impression. Those who think this poem is for fat ppl, you are very wrong. Maybe Angelou did mean it for 'fat' ppl. But I'm a size 0 and this poem made my day. I'll remember next time when I enter a room to hold myself up high like I believe in myself. Love how she uses phenomenal instead of 'sexy' and such.
  Brenda Brockway  (1/9/2010 7:36:00 PM)

To me, it's not about rhyme, or rhythm, or even men and women. It's about attitude. Sometimes you should just read it, and not analyze it. ; 0)
  Michelle Petit-sumrall  (1/8/2010 11:38:00 PM)

@ Paul Julian: If you mean your own poem, I'm sorry, the subject matter isn't even the same. Although yours certainly has its own rhythm and meter and evokes certain images, although it *is*, in my mind, pretty darn good, I find something about it a little off. The rhythm is a little too halting for my taste.

Hmmm... Maybe that was deliberate. I'm guessing by the end, Mr. Man is supposed to be panting, yeah? So why does he *start* off that way?

Like I said in a previous comment, I've never been a man... Maybe I've got it backwards. :)

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2/9/2010 12:35:18 PM. #.26# You Are Here: Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

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