Phenomenal Woman

Phenomenal Woman

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion 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 steps
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 honeybees.
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.
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.