Illustration Friday - Strength
This week I thought of the author Maya Angelou. I will never forget having the honor of seeing her speak one year. This woman captivates you with the tone of her voice so soft and raspy - yet so very powerful. The words she chooses create wonderful imagery.
So I struggled this week trying to think of what to do using one of her poems for inspiration. I began to think of women in general and how we play dual roles whether we are mothers, sisters, business women, or friends. It's amazing the loads we carry on our backs and how we manage to awaken everyday to start anew. To all women who do a phenomenal job of just being you and having the strength to do what you do my hats go off to you.
Phenomenal Woman
written by author and poet - 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.
