Phenomenal Woman
By Maya Angelou (Selected by Barbara Semeniuk)

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.”

Rest in peace, Linda.

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