Analysis of Maya Angelou's phenomenal woman.

Many call Maya Angelou a Feminist for writing this poem and some even say the poem has no positive side,  but only because they don’t understand the reason behind the poem. I totally connect to what she is saying. Simply put all she is saying that women who rely on their pretty appearance to attract men cannot understand why men will pass over them to get to a strong, intelligent, and phenomenal woman. It really talks about accepting yourself and how you are because God created you in his own image. Maya is full of expression in every gesture. There is no shame in being comfortable with you and being confident does not mean a person is pompous. This poem states that just being you is all a woman needs to do to be attractive and alluring to men.

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 of 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.

copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.