THAT'S ME

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 for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.