Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Review

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 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.

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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, Thats me.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou is an anthem to real women everywhere. This poem says in beautiful, rhythmic verses that you dont have to be a size two to be a sexy woman. Deep down the only thing that matters is how you see yourself. In the four eloquent stanzas Dr. Angelou can change how you see yourself and others around you. Then it hits you-you realize your mother was rightit is how pretty you are on the inside that matters. This poem is light and seductive. It has a sensual feminine feel to it that flushes my cheeks as I consume it. Maya Angelou is a wonderful writer and storyteller. I can almost picture it. A country club ball with dozens of skinny southern belles, and each one slapping their drooling husband when she passes by them. This is a fun poem with a deep meaning. Maya Angelou gives me hope. She was born in St. Louis, and raised in a segregated part of Arkansas. She came from the wrong side of the tracks, and had everything going against her, but she made it. She traveled the world meeting and impressing presidents, kings, and saints. Dr. Martin Luther King even looked to her for assistance. After reading other poetry of Dr. Angelous I determined that she is one of the greatest writers that I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. The stunning pictures she painted in my mind will never be forgotten. I only hope that my daughters feel her poetry as deeply as I do, because she builds our foundations of womanhood. Her words feel like a mothers nurturing embrace.

In the last stanza she summarizes the entire her feelings. 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. This says to me that I can make my decisions and live my life without feeling guilty or making excuses. I dont have to run screaming my beliefs into the world, but that I should stand up for them, because they are a part of me. This poem is only a few lines to some people, but it is a new life for me. It is not being ashamed anymore of my past, but being proud of my present and future. It is not settling for an abusive or indifferent mate, but being in a partnership with a friend no matter if it is a man or a woman. It is taking a deep breath and being unafraid of the person that I will be when I take my last breath. It is having children that will be secure enough in their own thoughts and bodies that they will be able to make the right decisions when they count. A woman that I will probably never meet gave these things to me. She doesnt know me, but she has changed my life forever. She is truly a phenomenal woman.