I discovered her books one day when I was home from school sick. I’m fairly certain that my mother had been reading one of them for a book club. And burrowed down deep in the floral sheets of my twin bed, I fell in love with her work.
To a white girl growing up in upper middle class suburbia, reading the candid autobiographic tales that spilled from Maya's books was mesmerizing. Of course as an older woman, she was known as an poet, author, professor and a host of other accomplished roles. But in her early days, she was a fry cook, a prostitute, a dancer and a civil rights activist. I found her - and still find her - utterly fascinating.
This woman knew how to max out her life. Though raped as a young girl by her mother's boyfriend, she was never a victim. She used her wits and talents to take advantage of every single opportunity in front of her - and created those she didn't see. And she found a way to connect the world to her experiences through her incredible gift of words and stories.
Rest in peace, Maya. I have mad respect for you. You are the definition of a Phenomenal Woman.
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.
