Phenomenal Woman- Chelsea

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 for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Angelou, Maya. "Phenomenal Woman." And Still I Rise. Random House, 1978. Print.

I'd heard this poem before, but my first major exposure to it came during the Girl Project. We used a recording of Ruby Dee reading this poem for one of our pieces, a vignette utilizing power poses and simple, graceful movement. After hearing these beautiful, empowering words on repeat for five weeks, I can say with confidence that this is one of my favorite poems. "Phenomenal Woman" is undoubtedly a reflection of Maya Angelou's culture and unique perspective. As a black woman during the Civil Rights era, she would not have been considered attractive, yet she was extremely confident and self-assured; this poem seeks to explain why she is such a strong woman. This poem is Angelou standing tall and telling the world "this is who I am, and I am phenomenal simply because I am me." However, "Phenomenal Woman" is still universal in its appeal; all women have had their confidence attacked at some point, and all woman can relate to wanting to feel strong just by being themselves.