Today I read a poem that shouted out "believe in yourself" as a woman.
I read it once, twice, three times - and well, I just loved it. Then I decided I must know about the poet. Who sat down and wrote these powerful words acknowledging what springs from within.
I wrote to Maya Angelou and have received permission to use her beautiful poem on our website.
Have a read:
Phenomenal Woman
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.
When I found out who wrote this poem I was more than interested. Born on April 4, 1928 Marguerite Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas.
Marguerite Johnson who is now known as Maya Angelou, is a beautiful woman that has become the one of the great voices of contemporary black literature. She writes books, plays and poems, she has acted, sung, been an editor, a lecturer and civil rights activist, written plays, produced and directed stage and on screen.
In her personal life she gave birth to Guy Johnson at an early age and then down the track married and divorced two husbands, Tosh Angelou and Paul De Feu.
Her young life was not easy and in 1970 she wrote “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” where she lays open her incredible and sometimes difficult journey, up to sixteen years old.
I have recently read this book which took me into a foreign world which has allowed me open my eyes. I have dipped into the journey of Maya’s life, feeling the fears, the hopes, the confusion and her dreams and felt a sense of relief that she battled her way through her childhood.
She has written many books with “I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings” being nominated for the National Book Award and the poem “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die” was nominated for the Pulitzer prize.
In 1993, Maya Angelou wrote and delivered a poem at the inauguration for President Bill Clinton "On the Pulse of Morning".
Maya Angelou expresses her words and lyrics with such magnificence that she captivates her readers and has us longing for more. Her frank and expressive language has made her into the well loved and respected poet and author that she is today.
Maya Angelou, whose beautiful face I believe exudes a visable light and joy, has shown us through her poetry and her stories, that by believing in yourself, by aching to get on and do well, has proved to herself, and all women that
you can live your dreams.
Her books and poetry are readily available in book stores or you can go to her site to read more of her beautiful poetry: www.mayaangelou.com
Maya's beautiful photo is from her website
