Poem by Maya Angelou

I know I quote a lot from Maya Angelou but she is truly an inspirational figure. I first heard this poem read by her a couple of years back as a guest speaker on one of Oprah’s shows (yes I know, its quite Makcik to watch Oprah but I find her shows really entertaining and educational) and I loved it immediately. This is a beautiful and inspirational poem for woman of all ages, sizes, race whatever your background. Celebrate womanhood, be proud and say it out loud- ‘I’m a phenomenal woman- that’s me!’

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 steps,
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 breast,
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.