Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman is my go-to source for motivation. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I turn to this poem and the words never fail to boost my spirits and confidence.
It is wonderful to know your place in the universe, and mine is phenomenal!
In today’s edition of Wonderful Wednesday – Wonderful Words from Others I am sharing Maya Angelou’s “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.
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.
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.
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.
Look back at the words! When I read them my head lifts with pride, my shoulders pull back and my chest sticks out. I feel special and important. As I read the words whether aloud or silently, I feel the phenomenon that is me! I feel like a phenomenal woman. I see my body and appreciate its lines and curves. I picture the reaction and hushed whispers and looks of admiration when I walk into a room. I agree that when I pass people should be proud to see me, just as I am, because I am a phenomenal woman.
Every person should have a positive self-image. There is something powerful and enlightening about having a good self-image. When I am around people who stand up straight and think they are wonderful, it is encouraging and empowering and I like it! Appropriate self-pride is contagious. When I get all dolled up and start strutting my stuff, my twin daughters get excited and start to prance around. They feel pretty and special. They catch my phenomenon!
Sometimes people need a little spark to light the ember of good self-image. For any woman, this Maya Angelou poem can spark a great attitude and self-confidence. So the question for you this Wonderful Wednesday is what sparks the phenomenal woman attitude in you?
