Phenomenal Woman

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 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 clicks 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.

~Maya Angelou