Phenomenal Woman

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.