Last updated on March 7, 2017

I look around, and I can’t help but smile; I feel proud to be one of them. I see confidence and courage, we show it in the way we walk and talk. I can’t remember seeing this when I was young, but then perhaps I didn’t have an eye for it then, didn’t know what to look for. I am talking about older women, ladies, old girls, extraordinary women close to my age. We sit together as a group, we laugh, and we cry together. We are content with who we are, we don’t look away, instead, we hold our head up high and face whatever comes our way.
I look at our group, and I see so much strength and beauty. It’s not defined by weight or size, it’s not characterized by wrinkles and lines. It’s something that shines through from the inside, perhaps the shadows of the past or the hope for the future.
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.
Maya Angelou
I honestly believe we are phenomenal, and we get better with age. Phenomenal women, I like to think I am one of them.


We both, and we ALL are! We just come to the realization at different times! 👩👵🤹♀️
You ARE one of them, Bridget. Let there be no doubt <3
I like that 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! 😃
Great poem and I’m on board, Bridget. There is something wonderful about reaching that age where we blossom into our full power. Maya Angelou nailed it 🙂
I was definitely a late bloomer 🙂
Nobody could say it better than her.
I remember hitting my forties and realizing I was no longer afraid to “own” who I was, 50 brought a new comfort zone, weeding out the negative people and being even more honest and open. Wonderful place to be. Loved this post
❤
“Owning” who we are. That’s quite a statement. You nailed it!
I ditto this comment 🙂
I love that image, and the words are divine!
Nobody could say it better than Maya Angelou.