Phenomenal Woman

Vintage slip I bought at the Salvation Army

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 -

This poem was not about the men, but how I wish I could feel this confidence in myself: To know who I am; To be sure of myself; To accept myself and feel so comfortable in my skin.
I think over a period of time, the "World" tears you down with it's notions and misconceptions about who or what you should be, and through what you wear or look like. Society's goal seems to always make you feel self conscience of never measuring up.

I am not a size. I am me.

I am rising, and taking a stand to feel more like a Phenomenal Woman!

I wonder if I had felt more like a Phenomenal Woman and had been this kind of a role model for my daughter, if she wouldn't have taken some of these misconceptions that were so ingrained in me. I know that I have a role in her eating disorder. I take responsibility for that. My wish for women, children and men is to feel comfortable in their own skin and to be who they are. Love themselves. Embrace your true self. You are just right! You are beautiful!