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