A woman... Phenomenally (In Recognition of National Poetry Month)

I remember I was eight years old the first time I saw "Poetic Justice" (a movie starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur). In the movie Janet Jackson plays a girl name Justice who deals with all pain and emotions through words. Words are her escape in a world of chaos and confusion, trails and tribulations. Throughout the movie she recites poems. One poem in particular stood out from the rest. That poem was "Phenomenal Women". At the age of eight, I was able to some what relate to the essence of the poem. The poem calls out the "criteria" for beauty and expresses that not fitting that "criteria" doesn't make you any less of a woman. It forces you to see how superficial the world is, and makes you want to embrace who you are despite of it. "Phenomenal Women" has played such a strong role in my life. I have the poem printed out and hung up on my wall as a daily reminder that I don't need any justification from the masses. I am happy to be who I am. I exude confidence and am unapologetic for it.

Not to long after watching the movie I found out that Justice didn't write any of the poems she recited (ignorance of youth... don't judge me!). It was in fact Maya Angelou who wrote it, as well as the other poems in the movie. This was my first introduction to Ms. Angelou and there was no turning back.

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 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.

© Maya Angelou 1994

Editors Note: I wanted to post this poem, mainly because it is National Poetry Month and because this poem has truly become an inspiration for me. Not solely because of it's meaning, but because this poem has started me on my journey with a pen & a pad. This poem is why I write. I, at the age of 8, was amazed at what words could do... how you could be able to say a lot without really saying anything at all. Words could ignite passion, anger, joy and pain all within the same sentence (if done correctly). I would like to encourage all of you to READ some poetry this month. Who knows, you might become inspired!