Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928- )

In celebration of Black History Month, I have decided to feature four poets whom I admire. I'll feature a different poet each week during the month of February. I love poetry and will post my favorites by each poet. Please remember that Black History is everyone's history.




Dr. Maya Angelou, a.k.a., Marguerite Johnson, is world renowned. She is a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. She is a knowledgable and phenomenal woman. Here's my favorite poem by Dr. Angelou:

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies

I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion 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 steps

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 for my care.

'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.