We Are Phenomenal Women

I am reflecting on Maya Angelou's passing and think more and more what a phenomenal woman she was in so many aspects. I want to share one of her poems here. Her words help me just sink into my body and be more comfortable as a woman and all that means physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.

Watching the pictures of her life are wonderful, but be sure you take the time to sit back, close your eyes, and just breathe it in, you phenomenal woman you.

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

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

 

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

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

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Footnote: Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou published by Random House, Inc.

A call to action: Tell us what makes you phenomenal. Comment below.