7/19/08

Women and Poetry

Oddly enough, as much as I have always been into writing poetry, I have never taken a lot of time to read poetry. I can think of maybe a handful of good poetry I've read, or at least that has made enough of an impact for me to keep it fresh.

So, I'm asking for some recommendations. Anything to stir the soul, make you think, make you stop for just a minute. I'm going to add a weekly poem to the old blog here, and I'm looking for strong women's voices. Credit goes to whoever recommends the poet I post per week.

For now, we'll stick with an old favorite of mine, one that I think any woman can appreciate. Because underneath it all? We're all phenomenal. Sometimes, we just need someone to remind us...

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 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.

1 comment:

Who Cares said...

Maya Angelou is such a strong voice and strong woman, how can anyone compare to that?!?!?!!