Phenomenal Woman

A poem by Maya Angelou

 Pretty women wonder where my secret lies 
 I'm not cute or built to suit a models's fashion 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 of 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. 

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