Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou (read 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 of my care,
\’Cause I\’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That\’s me.

Maya Angelou
April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014