Phenomenal Woman Analysis

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.

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The poem was awesome. I think that Metrophobic me do not have nothing else to do, just say stupid things to important writters like Maya. I Methophobic me needs a man that could entertein her in better things than writting stupid comments in the internet. Excuse her Maya.

| Posted on 2009-11-11 | by a guest

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To Metrophobic Me:
I can see where you are coming from, but it is way too technical. Obviously u do not understand the message she is trying to portray. And to say that Maya Angelou has not idea what she is talking about is ridiculous. When you can speak 5 languages and are a poet, historian, author,actress, playwright, civil rights activist, producer, director, and OPRAH'S HERO, you can tell me that she doesn't know what she is talking about. Oh and the rest of you guys, be nice. There is no need to call this person ugly or stupid. They are just expressing their opinion, no matter how misguided it is.

| Posted on 2009-09-15 | by a guest

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whoever METRAPHOBIC ME is you shud back off and get a life you dont know what your talking about you probably just waste your life posting insults not comments about poems and their poet so seriously go get a LIFE!

| Posted on 2009-07-23 | by a guest

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THIS IS A SPECTACULAR PIECE OF ART. MAYA ANGELOU YOU MY GURL 4EVA! LADIES...WE NEED TO STICK TOGETHER THROUGH THICK AND THIN! PRAISE TO THE ALMIGHTY LORD IN THE HEAVENS FOR MAKING SUCH A WONDERFUL WRITER!! LUV YOU ALL!!
LOVE X0X0,
SUGA & SPICE

| Posted on 2009-03-16 | by a guest

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March 8, 2009, this poem is an moral eye opener. If you want the truth about oneself, read this poem slow and implement your name where and when needed. You will commence the meaning of 'know thyself and do something about it. Thank you, Maya Angelo

| Posted on 2009-03-09 | by a guest

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to metaphoric me.
First of all, THIS IS AN AMAZING POEM!!! you would understand that if you weren't so negative about your self image. It takes a real woman to be loved by a great man, as well as yourself, so what does that make you???? ya you get my drift. Maya anagelou made a great point in this poem and it should be an unwritten rule that woman live by. you don't have to make yourself a man slave you need to make your self INDEPENDANT! so your dumb, simply put. like the other person said, go get counciling for yourself, you never know they might give you some great medicine so you can feel "normal" . sorry you have major defects when it comes to men, hope that you learn from your mistakes and start loving yourself

| Posted on 2009-03-05 | by a guest

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this is a wonderful poem love it to death and live by her words!

| Posted on 2009-03-05 | by a guest

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OMGosh!!! This poem is really good it demonstrates how a women needs self image to not only to empower herself but others and how they may feel about her... Angelou is such a talented writer.
::...LHS 9th

| Posted on 2009-01-16 | by a guest

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OMGosh!!! This poem is really good it demonstrates how a women needs self image to not only to empower herself but others and how they may feel about her... Angelou is such a talented writer.
::...LHS 9th

| Posted on 2009-01-16 | by a guest

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Phenomenal Woman is an empowering poem that is proof all woman need to be successful in life is a sense of self worth and pride in there capabilities. Every woman should be confident in who they are. All beings are equal in their value on this planet. Women have no need to feel inferior to men because our role on this earth has the same significance as theirs. 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.

| Posted on 2008-12-16 | by a guest

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oooh say can you see, by the dawms early light, for the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE, the bombs bursting in da ayerr, gave proof the night that our flag was still there, OH say doesn that star spangled baner yet wwwaaayhave for the land of the FRE amd the home of the BRAVE.
KTHNXDIE
you know you love me,
xoxo
GOSSIPGRRRL

| Posted on 2008-12-11 | by a guest

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"it tells that women are very independent and and don't need men in their lives"
That is not whats written actually, the phenomenal women there, is all about alluring men or about how men think how phenomenal they are(because of the woman's allure).

| Posted on 2008-11-17 | by a guest

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I love this poem, it tells that women are very independent and and don't need men in their lives so ladies if you are doing good in life keep going and if you are confused and lost pray to GOD. LADIES STICK TOGETHER AND BE STRONG. GOD IS ALWAYS WATCHING.


2008-11-14 by:LIL BIT

| Posted on 2008-11-15 | by a guest

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i believe that this poem is a uplifter for women and it says that we are powerful and can be with or without a man . they dont need us to do everything for them . they cab be independent too . but i do love this poem and i am proud of Maya Angelo for comming up with a great poem like this.

| Posted on 2008-11-13 | by a guest

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Edit: Correction
"If Women really want Equality then they SHOULD NOT act/think like they are inferior. Women can be independent too you know just like men are?"

| Posted on 2008-11-05 | by a guest

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to the person above or probably below me now.
I'm not "metrophobic me" what made you think that way?
1st: "She's saying that you don't need to be "willing" and stupid to get a man." i already thought of that.
2nd: "But isn't it sad that our "purpose" is to content men??"
Where did you get that idea? Is that a fact? -what's sad is that your a woman and you think that way. [btw purpose is something you think about, its not neccesarily given or predetermined)
I don't think women need men to become phenomenal.
Men as phenomenal or great aren't defined by how much women he can get. so why do women now think like that? Why can't they be both that does not rely on sexism?
Probably its because you've gotten used to the fact that men are considered superior or that women are the "damsel in distress".
I think it's pathetic actually [for both men and women].
If Women really want Equality then they should act/think like they are inferior. Women can be independent too you know just like men are?

| Posted on 2008-11-05 | by a guest

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I L-O-V-E this poem, is one of my favorite ones. so don't get me wrong when I say this.
to all the girls who are against(metrophobic me) in what he said.
Don't you think that it is sweet and not jerk(like someone said) that a guy actually thinks that girls are more than just a s.ex toy?? It requires some maturity. seriously i've dealed with some guys that made wish I was ugly.
it is actually true what (metrophobic me) said. is it the only way for us, women, to be phenomal by "bending men into thier knees"?? It could be due to how smart we are or how pretty. But isn't it sad that our "purpose" is to content men??
think about it
and a message to (metrophobic me) the poem is NOT saying that she is phenomenal BECAUSE she "bends men into their knees". She's saying that you don't need to be "willing" and stupid to get a man.
think about that too

| Posted on 2008-10-17 | by a guest

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ok, this is a good poem for women but i think there's a bad side of it.
True, it promotes confidence and that "inner beauty" can bend a man's knees.
I think at some point it says that women are phenomenal based on what others[men] perceive them. I mean do Women need to bend a man's knees to become phenomenal or Is Phenomenal defined as the "Desire of All Men"

| Posted on 2008-10-13 | by a guest

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THIS IS TO (Metrophobic Me) I THIN YOU ARE A PHSYCO PATH AND YOU DONT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO BUT LOOK STUPID ON THE INTERNET I DONT CARE WHAT YOU SAY MAYA ANGELOU IS PHENOMENAL WOMAN AND YOU CAN BE A WOMAN OR MAN PHENOMENALLY

| Posted on 2008-09-29 | by a guest

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even though am young, i related to this poem well, bacuse as a tennager we feel this way and so we need poems like this to make as feel beautiful again and keep in mind that we'll always be beautiful in our own way.

| Posted on 2008-06-09 | by a guest

.: Who Cares! :.

To Metrophobic Me: You are ridiculous and ugly. You are not beautiful. You don't relate to this poem because you are jealous of not being able to feel beautiful like all the others. You are an unhappy person who is mad at the world 'cause many don't appreciate you or think you are phenomonal. Don't be mad just because people don't come on to you. Sorry that you're ugly and don't relate to this poem. So, go find a poem you can relate to such as "Ugly Woman" and then tell all the good things that you think about it. Mmm...kay grumpy buns? Have a nice life and ah, yeah don't go do anything stupid 'cause you're in a feeling of depression. Go get some counseling and start feeling pretty for ONCE!

| Posted on 2008-05-26 | by a guest

.: All Yall :.

To Metrophobic Me: You are ridiculous and ugly. You are not beautiful. You don't relate to this poem because you are jealous of not being able to feel beautiful like all the others. You are an unhappy person who is mad at the world 'cause many don't appreciate you or think you are phenomonal. Don't be mad just because people don't come on to you. Sorry that you're ugly and don't relate to this poem. So, go find a poem you can relate to such as "Ugly Woman" and then tell all the good things that you think about it. Mmm...kay grumpy buns? Have a nice life and ah, yeah don't go do anything stupid 'cause you're in a feeling of depression. Go get some counseling and start feeling pretty for ONCE!

| Posted on 2008-05-26 | by a guest

.: moron. :.

Metrophobic Me,
"This woman" is an extremely well renowned poet. She is very knowledgable on her subject, and it is obviously you who doesn't know what you're talking about. And you spelt "their" incorrectly. Join an English class, and don't come back untill you've learned something.

| Posted on 2008-05-13 | by a guest

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I think that Maya Angelou is a great writer and this poem is a great show of how all a woman needs is self confidence in order to be phenomenal.
Metrophobic Me: You are probably an arrogant jerk.

| Posted on 2008-05-08 | by a guest

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i really connected to this poem because i sometimes have a hard time knowing that random people will fall for me. this poem really boosts your self confidence.

| Posted on 2008-04-27 | by a guest

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i really connected to this poem because i sometimes have a hard time knowing that random people will fall for me. this poem really boosts your self confidence.

| Posted on 2008-04-27 | by a guest

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This a great piece in which Maya express how proud she is about being a Woman a Phenomenal Woman. A woman that doesn't care what others think. She has a great self confidence she believes that even when she's not "suit a models fashion" man can still bend to her knees.

| Posted on 2008-02-25 | by a guest

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I think this is a wonderful poem. For the person that just speaks their mind "Metrophobic Me :. " I honestly think that you have no idea what you are talking about. Obviously your not a woman so you probably would understand where she is coming form ..Other wise, I gice mya all her credit and from reading this, it lets me know just how beautiful I am..

| Posted on 2008-02-22 | by a guest

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Actually (to Metrophobic Me person especially) Maya Angelou probably has a more profound meaning than just womanhood. What makes a person phenomenal is not having "center of attention" qualities but having confidence in oneself. The proof is in her poem.

| Posted on 2008-01-18 | by a guest

.: Metrophobic Me :.

This poem is rediculous. I fully understand why she is proud of her womanhood (her backround ect...)and also why she should be. But how can a person be a woman phenomenally? Its not as if a person can seriously be something other than a woman OR a man. A person should be proud of there sexuality...to an extent but this woman hasnt got the slight clue wat she is writing about.

| Posted on 2007-07-02 | by a guest

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Powerful poetry. Angelou is like that you know- Using simple words, pictures and gestures to register the deep things about womanhood. In this poetry Angelou illustrates and defines true womanhood. True womanhood is about character and sexuality. And she shows us that the sexuality of a woman is not directly related to a preety face, big bosoms or skimpy dressing. Its about what a lady feels within herself.

| Posted on 2005-03-13 | by Approved Guest

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maya IS amazing and wonderful and beautiful and stands for everything it is to be a woman. to be a person, but more specifically, a woman.

within this piece there is appreciation, acceptance and celebration, of who we are, what we do, how we live... but most importantly, that we are perfect, just as we are.

as a spoken word piece, this is at the top of the bunch. the use of repetition and pause make this more than simply words on paper. women are poetry, in motion.

| Posted on 2004-07-20 | by freeradical

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This piece brings tears to the eyes...
I have often wondered what made my mother and grandmother so gracious, forgiving and tolerent of lesser women.. and now I know.

I can hear this being spoken.. It seems more of an oration than "poetry" in the classical sense... Maya is amazing and she has broken the boundaries on this...
and another thing is that she doesn't lose the impact with the repetitive nature of this piece.

I also noted that the use of common everyday words have the impact of a shovel agaisn't the head.

| Posted on 2004-07-19 | by Oracle