A 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
Like a bunch 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 on 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.



by Maya Angelou

Up Close and Personal with the Man in the Moon

        It was time for the acid test. Girlfriends, cherished soul mates who speak truth, met Admiral.  The evening was great fun and noisy, of course, with a dozen women talking at once.  Admiral loved every minute of being the only man there and being the center of attention.  He grinned from ear to ear, posed for snapshots, and talked easily with all.  The next day each friend confirmed what I felt - he's a keeper. 
       "Let's fly up for the day." Admiral said when I talked about an extreme acid test - meeting my Delaware family.  “You set the date and I’ll get us there in time for lunch.” he said. 
       The flight to Wilmington, DE was easy and scenic. The little 'potato chip' plane flew smoothly under Admiral's control, across the Chesapeake Bay, over farmland, cities and interesting landmarks.
       The whole clan picked us up at the airport and took us to a charming restaurant in New Castle.  The minute Admiral left the table they were full of questions about this man.  “So, are you taking flying lessons?” # 1 Son asked right off the bat. 
       When Admiral returned, the questions changed.  Yummy food was consumed over easy conversation with a heavy helping of check-out-the-new-guy-this-must-be-serious undercurrent for this first meeting.  
       Enjoying ourselves caused a later-than-planned departure for home.  The return flight was expectedly smooth.   Colors were brilliant as the sun set.  Lights twinkled on the ground below and in the heavens above us.  Conversation was animated as usual.   Suddenly the plane was in a steep bank.  “What’s going on? I’m going to throw up. This is the end.”  I thought.  
       When I felt the plane level, I opened my eyes.   We were flying straight into the biggest full moon I'd ever seen!  I felt like I could reach out and tickle his chin! 
       Admiral held my hand and said “Look, the moon’s laughing at us. Do you think he laughs as much as we do?”