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.
In a published book
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
1 - 51 of 51
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I LOVE THIS POEM
From guest Sha"micheal (contact)
IT TAKES A REAL WOMAN TO KNOW HOW PHENOMENAL SHE IS WITHOUT ANYONE SEEING OR HEARING HER AS SHE ENTERS A ROOM.. -
greatness
From guest dominique bolden (contact)
that is the most wonderful poem i have ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
beautiful
From guest Lesego Phaloane (contact)
when ever im feeling down, i just read the phenomenal woman and i just feel good about myself and being a woman...thanks Lesego -
From guest Cheryl Franklin (contact)
I first read Phenomenal Woman and Still I Rise in 1982. My mind filled with thoughts of grandeur over flown with love for myself for the first time. This awesome wisdom in the form of poetry opened me the greatness I had known was inside of me. There was more to me than I was told. God I thank you for being true to yourself and for me. You have given me the courage to be that one in a million woman. Because my significant in not in my similarity to others, but in my difference. I dare to be different. By our Creator I thank you for being courageous for me when I could not. Thank you for having the insight as a seer. Thank you for being my sister. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for your patient with me. I love you, Cheryl. -
Maya Angelou may be known for many works but this one seems one that works on so many people, caught in misperception, to help realize the world waits to see what we demand for ourselves, and here is is a kind of magic transforming wishes into goals, confidence... so vital...PK
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From guest Marche' (contact)
i remember the first time a woman i looked up to read this to me i was 14 and had just been humiliated by a guy because i wasnt skinny enough...today at 20 and confident im glad i heard this !!! -
beautiful poem
From guest WICCANKRONE (contact)
dedicated this poem to a sister(for her 50th )and made her cry. thank=you MAYA ANGELOU -
Still as good as the first time I read it
From guest Mel (contact)
After a disturbing conversation with younger female co-worker today about her self-image I am refreshed to read this again. This is how all women should feel about themselves. And it make me so sad that some females aren't strong or wise enough to see this phenomenon when they look in the mirror! -
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Phenomenal Woman
From guest Thembisa (contact)
This is a breath of fresh air. It is mysterious but simple, amazing but real. It is a deeper level of understanding who you are as a woman and appreciating you womanhood without the falacy of the commercial world. -
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*BEST POEM EVER*
From guest MICHELLE (contact)
I REALLY LOVE THIS POEM. I ALSO REALLY ADMIRE MAYA ANGELOU. SHE IS THE BEST POET EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
like
From guest infinity (contact)
i have to learn this whole poem by the end of october it is not that hard i am on man themselves i have already made 3 poems you really do inspire me i hope to by like you one day ms.maya angelou -
Thank You Dr. Angelou!
From guest Maribel (contact)
Every time I read this poem my spirit is lifted and once again I say, I am proud of who I am...of the woman that I am. -
thank you
From guest angel (contact)
As a young woman i find myself comparing me to others.However i have finaly found me and it is a wonderful feeling. -
praise
From guest Zandile Ntshangase (contact)
If woman of nowadays can learn the lessons from gret woman like Dr Maya Angelou . THis world would be a great place indeed -
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From guest Lizzie (contact)
If this is your first Maya Angelou poem, do not let it be your last. She is an incredible writer. Also, you all must read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," it is her autobiography of her childhood through young womanhood. I laughed until I cried and also just cried. Very moving and wonderful. -
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From guest Emily (contact)
this is one of my favorite poems. It is beautiful. I first read in my english class in my sophmore year in high school. I love it. -
From guest Kate (contact)
I wasent really into poetry but my friend showed me this peom, and i cant believe how overpowered i was reading it, i love this poem! -
Proud to be me
From guest Shanta (contact)
As a youth director of a non profit organization I love using this poem to empower our young women growing up in a povery stricken area. This is exactly what they need to help them understand a woman's worth. Thank You Ms Angelou for sharing this with the rest of the world -
Art of Childhood
From guest Lisa (contact)
this poem describes my mama of course. it means a lot to me. ya dig? -
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Phenomenal Woman
From guest Amber (contact)
I just want to say thank you so much for that poem you really open up a lot of peoples heart who has low self-astem sor themselves and i know it was very touching when i read it by me being the weight i am really made me think if you can do it so can i and i really think you for that i really do. -
From guest Kristina Williams (contact)
I love Maya Angelou's poetry I have 4 books with her poetry as well as one of her novels, she is an excellent writer, and my one dream is to meet her, because I write poetry but I doubt I will ever be as good as or even close to her writing potential -
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Keep trying Kristina Williams. Maya Angelou did not have an easy start in life and has persevered on through many obstacles. Be inspired by her determination, who knows what the future brings!
Vonnie
Oldpoetry
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Phenomenal Woman
From guest Suzanne Attig (contact)
I agree that this is a great poem. However, a friend e-mailed me a poem entitled Maya Angelou's Best Poem Ever that's now making the rounds of the Internet, and it's not nearly this good. It's not really even a poem, and I'm pretty sure it's not by Maya Angelou. I was just trying to confirm my suspicions. -
inspirational poem
From guest eboni butler (contact)
this poem is phenomenal i can barley exspress my true feeling for this poem you are such a great writter and it seems to me as if you secretly show your feelings threw your lovely hands. i hope to soon become a great writter like yourself and touch the souls of young women as done to me......THANK YOU -
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English 2
From guest Shatrice Saunders (contact)
I really like that poem Phenomenal women it really makes me feel good about myself. The poem is so good . Maya Angelou inspires me. I truly apppreciate her. All of work is grear. It makes me feel independent. She bulids pride inside of me. -
English 2
From guest Shantrice Sauners (contact)
I really like this poem and makes me feel independent and love myself even more i love poem alot if i could just teel everyone I'm a phenomenal women. Tha's why I love this poem. -
phenomenal woman
From guest Misha (contact)
Maya Angelou has extraordinary talents. I am greatful for tremendous amount of respect for herself ant the courage she gives people (including me) to achieve higher standards in life and excell. She builds pride inside me, and for that I give her gratitude. I truly appreciate her. -
lovley
From guest Jerry Thomas (contact)
it moved me soooo much because i know what ur going through becuase woman are just as strong nyaa mean -
very clear to understand and the message is so clear and makes sense a different topic she uses as her style is so beautiul and warming.
to me it like cookies
yet this cookies is so tasty
in its selections of flour
and time
well thoughtout -
happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From guest jazzy (contact)
i commented this because you are a phenomenal woman and i 2 wanted to say happy birthday to you it is a blessing to see 79 years old god bless for many more years -
UIL...destroyed
From guest concerned (contact)
I have seen UIL participants BUTCHER this beautiful piece. ugh. -
From guest Shawynna (contact)
this poems holds a lot of truth i really am thankful 4 maya angelou and all of her work she insprired me this would have to be one of my best poems of all time thank you Maya Angelou. -
celebration
From guest margaret moore (contact)
I am commiting this exquisite poem to memory as a birthday gift for my 50 year old friend. it will make her cry opening her heart and mine and then we will be able to truly celebrate. thank you for wanting to know. -
hello
From guest theann (contact)
i like this poem i like all maya angelou's poems. I am only 15 but ever since i was in elementry school i have been inspired -
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i love your poetry
From guest Tiara Thomas (contact)
i love this poem because it fit me so well i'm a poet also and i see were you are coming from in this poem.my name is Tiara Thomas and I am 15yrs old and you are my inspiration to write poetry -
hey
From guest Ashley Harrington (contact)
hey I love your poems I amwriteing about one for my english class. You are a very good writer. -
about this poem
From guest Khadijah (contact)
Maya Angelou I love this poe and evertime someone bohers me i dont worry so much because i know that from this poem I'm a phenomenal woman too. Well I also like Beauty Shop and the way they read your poem. Well gots to go. -
i love this poem, it speaks to so many women in so many different ways, this is the poem that gave me confidence so thank you Dr. Maya Angelou for doing this for me and for every other person out there
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Maya Angelou is such a great writer. SHE is my inspiration. This is a very powerful piece and i love the rhythm of it. Saying it out loud makes me feel as though i am the writer telling people who I am. SHE is just so great and talented and i wish that she could give me some advice as to how i can improve my writing. Great write Maya your the greatest.
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This poem represents more than just love of self. It represents the beauty of truly loving and appreciating the self. When a woman truly loves who she has become, there is no limits to her self-respect and the respect and honor given to her by others. A wonderful piece of work.
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The depths of this wonderful woman and her writing are so apparent everyday. Not one day goes by that I don't try and think of this poem and GLORY IN BEING A WOMAN! I could only hope to be a speck of the writer she is one day, Catressa
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This is one of those poems all women should read... Helps boost the self confidence through all of our numerous flaws... I love this. I love how she said it and how she conveyed her point.
OD
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I first heard this at a poetry reading and it was read with the perfect attitude, confidence, charisma. Everybody in the room listened to every word and absorbed the female power of this piece. This is a terrific confidence booster. It's the little things that make a woman phenomenal and unique.
~Anastasia -
No I don't think your are right on this one amp65 - she is glorying in her power as a woman, in the core of her being, and in that she honours both physical self. But she says very clearly that she is not a 'pretty woman' she does not fit the modern concept of beauty, but she knows her beauty, knows the depth of her beauty, both outward and inner. I have heard her perform this poem, and there is no doubt about her joy in her phenomenal self.
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Miss Maya's poetry is awe inspiring. . . but tis more inspiring to have heard it read by her own lips. Truly, there is much more to this lady, and her art, than what meets the eye. On this poem, specifically, I love the form, I love the rhythm, I love the theme, I love the poem, I love the author. . . love, love love love love.
Amazing. -
I don't know I thought the concept was sad because she knew it was only about her femininity and that none of these people knew her. I imagine that you could hold your head high, but at the same time it is missing something by todays standards and any educated woman may like the way she looks, but to me she knows that they just want her to care for them. Perhaps that is enough, but on the other hand it isn't for her because everyone is still just looking. She is phenominal also because she can be on her own and leave them wondering. I don't know maybe I'm wrong and like hurting peoples feelings by saying this about the poem, but I feel that it was more of an in your face type thing. Like " OH you like me because I have big tits and you think you love me, but it's just the big tits" Know what I mean? Any thoughts please reply to me also.
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I really enjoyed this piece alot. It's how I feel alot. Confidence is everything. If you don't have it, then you will never know how far in life you will go. I love the part where it says: Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
I hope to read more of your pieces. Keep up the good work hun.
~maryj~
Edited on May 13, 9:36 p.m. because ''. -
I'm strong. I'm beautiful. I'm a plus size Sexy Goddess. I am unique, and special. My confidence and grace are my true beauty. I'am a sexy giantess. Thanks to this lovely poem. I once again feel happy with myself and surroundings.
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awesome, awesome, awesome!!! I love this poem. And it proves once agian that confidence is the key. You dont have to be tall, or skinny, or whatever it is that you feel you lack. As long as you belive that you are sexy and beautiful and as close to prefect as possible guys will fall in love with you and your confidence.
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I love this poem please read some of my work also look at my other site www.poetrypoem.com/darkwaters1 not been on here for a while as I lost my p.w. please leave truthful and honest feedback. Yours kaiden stone desperatley seeking publication.
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A wonderful poem. Yeah...you don't really have to be skinny and blonde or built like a Barbie-Doll or fashion-model (just confidence) a well-written poem, and the repeating of Phenomonally, Phenomonal woman, that's me definitely fit with this poem. (I probably spelled that wrong...)
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Hey i like this poem. it goes to show that you dont have to be skinny or have the perfect body to catch a guys eye. i used to catch guys' eyes but then i would start to like them and be all hyper and stuff like that. but i like this poem
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wow this is awesome and made me look at my flaws in a little diffrent way.. thanks
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Its good to read a poem like this Glad I read it, needed a little somethin' today. I think what many of you have said is undenyable - this poem just makes you feel better about yourself. I like how its not just about being happy with yourself, its about being attractive without being perfect. I think its insentive to have confidence. Amazing piece...I think I have a new favorite.
A/E/S -
Phenomenal woman, phenomenal writer. Maya Angelou's writing is so accessible and real. Makes you think about the little things that are unique about you.
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Terrific!! Would read it anytime.
I love all kinds of poems, but this is a special poem that I can read when I'm felling down and blue. It makes me remember that I'm a Phenomenal Woman, that's me. -
I love this poem. It's amazing! I recited this poem at my aunt's house when I was little and I will never forget this poem. This poem is so meaningful. You are a beautiful writer, so keep doing what you're doing!
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I might as well join the long list of admirers of this poem.... it's just so amazing!!!! It makes me so proud to be a woman; I stand up a little straighter and walk with a bit more confidence after reading it. An inspiration for those of us who don't feel particularly beautiful
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I believe that maya angelou always has beautiful poems and another one of my new favorites is weekend glory. Ps. She is a belle phenomenally.
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All I can say about this poem is WOW. I read it everytime I feel down, and everytime it makes me proud to be myself. This poem and author are phenomenal.
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A crazy scorpio searching for the right path
I love Maya Angelou. Her poetry is so 4real. I write poetry also. She is my inspiration! -
Wonderful and Sincere
I am a phenomenal, I may not also look like a fashion model but I am a woman none the less. I admire Dr. Angelou poem "Phenomenal Woman" because it makes every woman feel special no matter her size, her color, her place in society. The Phenomenal woman is every woman and every woman is phenomenal. Thank you Dr. Angelou for paving the way for all people black and white, male and female. You're my inspiration. You are a Phenomenal woman indeed. -
If you've ever heard Dr. Angelou read her poems, any of her poems, it's a sound you'll never forget. Several years ago I heard her, and it was just the most fabulous thing -- and still, to this day, every time I read one of her poems, I hear her solid passionate voice.
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I\'m a phenomenal woman
I fully agree with what Maya had to say. She is very inspiring. Me, myself, and I think I'm phenomenal woman. Yeah things get me down, but I just got to keep going through it all. Maya is an inspiration to everyone whether black, white, yellow, or any color. I'm going to be myself through it all just like Maya said phenomenally, cause I'm a phenomenal woman, yeah that's me. -
like your work
No,but Ms. Angelo poem has been a top selection for U.I.L.
Thank You -
WONDERFUL
This poem is simply breath taking. My class loves to here it it has motivated me to want to read more an more an write an write. I thank my Maya for that -
It felt like it was a great inspiration for all women
This poem made me feel like more than a women.It made me feel like I was a angel. -
i love it. i love her. she is phenomenal
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this poem is very inspiring not just to me but to all women in general. It dosent matter what color you are or your age. I think it touches all of us in some kind of way.
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this is an inspiration to all woman to become a better person, to become a
this is my poem. iwant to be this .....iwandont want to be better...i dont want to end up like my mother having to depend on her husband that she calls aman but that i call an idiot ..... i want to think for myself be me, no one else,only and just me. i write poems about my past an my inspiration to be a succesful young hispanic lady in this discriminative world ....not so long ago in my city did the president of the honor society of my school district discriminated against us hispanics. That just really aggravated me and i promise you that i will show the world what i can do ....what a woman do... what a phenomenal woman can do.... what a phenomenal woman really is!!! -
I LOVE IT
I AM A PHENOMENAL WOMAN, AND STILL I RISE....LA -
superlative
No matter what Ms. Angelou writes, the way she writes,the stride with which she writes...it's marvelous. I loved it. -
It made me feel like I had "diamonds at the meeting of my thighs".
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I recited this poem for an AKA Debutante pageant, and everyone loved it. It makes you feel confident as a woman.
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excellent
I feel like this poem represents passion, love and beauty all wrapped into one. The number one love this poem represents is love for ourselves as beautiful African-Americanwomen. I can not speak for the other women,but I could feel so much for for myself flowing from this poem. -
I like it
I'm 13 years old and just love this poem. When I first read it for years ago I felt lke she was talking just to me. -
I love it more than any others of her poems.
I like this poem because she is telling the truth about herself instesd of lieing. Really she is been real about herself and others. This poem make me have high esteemed about myself. -
I love this poem because I am a woman phenomally, phenominal woman that's me
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I love this poem greatly.
This is an wonderful poem about pride in being a woman and in being yourself. Every one should read this. -
Empowering!
Love this poem because it is womanist - the goddess is claiming her power!
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I love it!
I love this poem, it is everything I am an want to be. Maya Angelou could have written this poem just for me. -
Invokes the power of your inner woman
When I was a Junior in High School I danced to Still I Rise...I became a fan at that moment. I read everything I could on Ms. Angelou...I found this poem and found myself. -
i liked it but felt jealous and inferior
wish i could think as good as this -
This is phenomenal- makes me proud of being a woman.
krishna -
Written for women by a Phenomenal woman. I could visualise her sashaying across a room with eyes fixed upon her saying 'Look at me' without uttering a single word.
THIS is my new favourite poem.
Superb.
~von~
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