Phenomenal Woman | Filed under General
The author of this poem is an epitome of the Phenomenal Woman. She is a poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. She lectures throughout the US and abroad and is Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina since 1981. She has published ten best selling books and numerous magazine articles earning her Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominations. At the request of President Clinton, she wrote and delivered a poem at his 1993 presidential inauguration. She once said “The honorary duty of a human being is to love,” may I present to you one of my heroes Maya Angelou.
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’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.
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.
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.
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
Did you know I am a Phenomenal Woman, well consider yourself well informed, for you have now been told. Yes I am a Phenomenal Woman! Have a great day, smile, and hope you will return tomorrow to pull up a seat, set a spell with Ms. Vickie the Southern Belle.
November 27th, 2005 at 4:24 pm
Your post reminds me of the thing wife and I do at resteraunts or a big todo. We watch the folks enter the room. Its not who enters, it is the rooms reaction to them. That woman that thinks that if a man is not watcing her is gay. Then she is sadly dissappointed in us. Watch the crowd. It is a fun excercise in body language.
November 27th, 2005 at 5:13 pm
You’ll get no argument from me, you are a phenominal woman, without a doubt!
I love the poem, and you know what? I’m a phenominal woman too
Love & hugs!
November 27th, 2005 at 5:15 pm
I love this poem!
Thanks for stopping by my site and letting me know about your new location. I’ll add a link on my blogroll. Had planned to add your old site, but you stopped writing there just when I discovered you!
November 27th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
very nice poem!
November 27th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
I have always loved Maya, she is an awesome human being!
November 27th, 2005 at 7:06 pm
This is one of my favorite poems. And, Ms. Vickie, it has your name all over it. I’m glad you’ve claimed it!
November 27th, 2005 at 7:40 pm
Great poem, Vickie !! That is you, a phenomenal woman. I would consider myself to be one, too !!
*HUGS*
November 27th, 2005 at 8:55 pm
I love Maya Angelou’s words. This poem describes you and many, many other women I know to a ‘t’.
November 28th, 2005 at 12:17 am
Of course you are a Phenomenal Woman. But we knew that long before you told us. Hugs, love and prayers. Keep smilin’ my BFFIWWW.
November 28th, 2005 at 1:04 am
I absolutely love maya and I love you too. May we all find the phenomenal Woman in ourselves and let that light shine out into the darkness of the world.
November 28th, 2005 at 3:29 am
This is one of my favorite poems, and you are phenomenal, Vickie!
November 28th, 2005 at 8:51 am
Yes you are. Ive known that for a while.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:30 am
Hi Vickie, yes you are.
November 28th, 2005 at 11:54 am
Great poem… great thoughts.
November 28th, 2005 at 4:41 pm
I am well informed. LOL And I believe that is true. Take care.
November 28th, 2005 at 4:56 pm
Great poem! It fits all women, if they only reach out & grab their ‘phenomenal-ness’!!
BoUnCeS!! LibbY!
November 28th, 2005 at 5:39 pm
The make a book that is just this poem with some beautiful paintings of women. I bought it many years ago and still pull it out and read it now and then.