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 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.
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.

MAYA ANGELOU