“Phenomenal
Woman”  by Maya
Angelou 

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. 

Photo created using action Vintage Tint by Alls A. Ten