Friday, April 04, 2008

Happy 80th Birthday Dr. Angelou

I have great admiration for Dr. Maya Angelou. Today is her 80th birthday. I hope that you have had the experience of reading some of her work I know why the caged bird sings is a favorite. Here is one of her poems if you have not had the privilege.

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.

-Maya Angelou

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Maya. Her books changed my life....for realz.

karey m. said...

i have chills. up my arms, down my back. i never read her stuff, but i really should. especially this one, since i have girlies.

i saw her once in an airport. she is a giant. i just remember looking at her, instantly in love. and she caught my eye and winked.

i wanted to run and jump up and wrap my legs around her like all those cool girls do when they greet their boyfriends at the airport. but i just smiled, instead. probably one of the better choices i've made in my life.

thanks for reminding me of that totally psycho memory. eek.