Wednesday, August 22, 2007

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!

17 comments:

  1. You ARE truly a PHENOMENAL WOMAN...my friend! Don't EVER forget it! :-)

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  2. Vicci is 110% right..!
    I've gained so much weight over the last few years, lost it and gained it back. Now I have accepted that I am who I am. I'll never be perfect but I'm comfortable in my skin.
    I loved the poem and your post here Angela.
    hugs
    xx

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  3. O! I LOVE that delicate slip, it reminds me of DELICATE YOU!!!and Maya's poem is GREAT! Thank YOU for sharing all that Angela Marie, none of us are perfect, how boring a world that would be if we were! LOVIN YOU over here in West Virginia!!! Can YOU feel it???!!!(((((((Angela Marie))))))YOU are a dollbaby!!

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  4. You are a Phenomenal woman. Your beauty is evident both inside and out. I am glad to call you friend.

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  5. Now YOU are the mom with good advice.
    I take this poem to mean more than just size; it could be any so-called "flaw" we see within ourselves.
    Acceptance of self is so freeing. Forgive yourself, trust yourself and love yourself.
    And you are a phenomenal woman. Very much so! You own up to your past mistakes, even though we have all made them, and continue to make them.
    xoxo
    Blue

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  6. You are beautiful. And your friendship brings beauty to those of us who are blessed to be called your friend!

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  7. Phenomenal women aren't sold by the pound, they come in a sweet package that no man can resist to unwrap.

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  8. first of all, i adore that vintage slip ... second of all, thank you for this reminder :) i find it difficult sometimes as my size has creeped up over the course of everything this past year but it really doesn't matter and we are all such phenomenal women aren't we ... warm hugs you ~ we are all getting there i think : )

    xoxoxoxox

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  9. by golly, even though I'm a man, you inspired me. :)

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  10. Thanks for sharing the beautiful poem and thoughts I feel like you
    how our choices or our insecurities affect our daughter/son and finding out who I am and accepting that person but most importantly liking that person that you find out you are.
    what I know for sure is what VIcci said you are a Phenomenal woman!
    and I am so proud you are my Niece!

    I so LOVE you!

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  11. You are beautiful, and a phenomenal woman!!!!

    I love that poem by the way. :)
    thanks for your sweet messages on my blog.

    xOx Silvia

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  12. I think of you as a very! Phenomenal Woman! my dear! You are so lovely and your dear, dear, lovely nature is so much a part of you and besides you are just lovely. No longer in the first bloom of youth perhaps, but youth is so wasted on the young! I think you are phenomenal!

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  13. This was beautiful - you are beautiful - and thank you for reminding me that I should think this of myself, also.

    Your daughter is one lucky woman to have you in her life. I read her post you have linked, and I see that you are a lucky woman, too.

    You are all so blessed.

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  14. Well said and thank you, Angela!

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  15. I have a lump in my throat after reading this. I work so hard on self acceptance of image and body size...when through it all I know who I am inside. I know I am a good person yet my mind will not reconcile that the good inside should be what truly counts. Thank you for this post and I am very glad I chose to follow your name that day and finally meet you.
    XO

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  16. This poem makes me stand up a little taller... We all need to be reminded how phenomenal we are. I'm cheering for your daughter! Big hugs!

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