Phenomenal Woman-That's Me:)

Attending High School in Los Angeles was not the most ellaborate experience for me as a young African-American girl. I could care less about school; I was busy trying to protect meself from potential violence. But there was one teacher who to this day dont even know who much she impacted my life. Something remarkable happened in my 9th grade class, I got the chance to read a poem written by Maya Angelou, "Phenomenal Woman." It was mandatory for me to take this class, all I can remember was reading this poem and feeling a lot better about myself. School became my safe haven, I often didn't even want to leave the classroom for the fear of humilation or loniness, I attending school with no siblings, and not friends. It was quit hard and downright difficult. However I maintained, and found an interest in writing and poetry. I began making up poems and spending countless hours convincing myself that one day I would proved to be a Phenomenal Woman. The library was how I would spend my lunch breaks. Researching people before me has left me with a glimpse of hope.  I didn't have any positive influences in that particular time in my life, but for some reason reading that poem put a smile on my weary little face. Now being a mother of two and a wife for five awesome years, I can truly say that I am a "Phenomenal Woman" in Christ Jesus. Dr. Maya Angelou will be gracing the University of California, Riverside, (UCR) on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 with her presence. The reading starts at 8:00 p.m. and will end around 9:30 p.m. I look forward to seeing her and hearing her story and all the influences that has helped her get to where she is today. She truly has impacted history for African-American women. Thank you and God bless. 

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 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 of my care, 
'Cause I'm a woman 
Phenomenally. 
Phenomenal woman, 
That's me.