Poems, Quotes and Lyrics Thread

Just learned of the passing of Maya Angelou.

Thought I'd share this poem here. When I was a younger girl, I had body image issues and low self-esteem. I had even started toying with the idea of becoming bulimic (something I hid from my mom). Little things can have a big impact where you least expect it. I can't remember where I first read this but I do remember how I felt that day when I read it.

This poem awakened something in me which made me value myself more... I actually felt "pretty" for having read it - not too short, too pudgy, the wrong colour of skin, but good enough just being me. That's something I think helped me stay out of the trouble that I had started getting into at that age.

Quote:

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

Anyway, thanks for reading. Feel free to share a poem, lyrics or a quote or passage from a book even that really resonated with you.

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