Category: Features

If you are phenomenal, say “Yay!”

We may have lost Maya Angelou, but her legacy stay with us.

I am relishing one of her best works this morning and I thought to share.

You may have read it before; it’s always good to read such powerful words every now and again…

Phenomenal woman, that’s me!

Enjoy!

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 for my care.

 ‘Cause I’m a woman

 Phenomenally.

 Phenomenal woman,

 That’s me.

—Maya Angelou