University of Southern Indiana

Program Inspiration

Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou
(April 4, 1928 - May 28, 2014)

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.

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