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

The book Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou was first published in 1994. I was introduced to the works of Ms. Angelou while watching the Oprah Winfrey show many years back. Oprah had always made mention of this amazing woman that was her mentor and she sang her praises often but I had no clue who this woman was. In fact, I had never read any of her works or even heard her name other than occasional mentions on this show.

When researching Ms. Angelou, I not only discovered that she had written some amazing works but that she had traveled a long and bumpy road in life. When I stumbled upon some of her writings while surfing the net, I was in awe. She was speaking to me. She was telling me that I could overcome obstacles, that I can be powerful and strong no matter what cards life dealt.

I had been going through a particularly rough time in my life when I first discovered Ms. Angelou and her poem, 'Phenomenal Woman. Unlike some poetry, I didn't have to find the hidden meanings in her phrases or attempt to read between the lines to discover what the writer was trying to relay. Her works speak clearly, loudly, and directly. In 'Phenomenal Woman' she focuses on the power of woman and her inner beauty and grace as well as her physical presence.

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.

This is just one of four poems in this collection. I focus more on this poem because it is the one that has spoken the loudest to me over the years. When I feel particularly weak in a situation or when I need a boost to my esteem, this is the work that I fall back on for that revitalization of my inner self.

Ms. Angelou is a motivator, an inspirational speaker. Words hold a great deal of power and this writer uses that power to the fullest. The four poems in this collection are some of her finer pieces, with the exception of her public speeches.

In the poem, 'Still I Rise she speaks clearly to those that make every attempt to keep a person down and to those that are offended by the difference in others around them.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
- Excerpt from Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.

In the third poem from this collection entitled, 'Weekend Glory', Ms. Angelou compares her simple existence to those that appear to have it all. This was not one of my favorite pieces from her collection and I had to read it several times to discover any meaning in it for me.

In this work, Ms. Angelou captures the lives of everyday people and the different ways in which they survive. Some bury themselves in debt to keep up appearances while others are satisfied to work a regular job and live within their means because they don't need to put on false fronts.

She seems to be saying that although their lives are very much the same in many respects, the way they feel about themselves is what really determines their happiness. Not what they own, what they wear, or where they live.

They move into condos
up over the ranks,
pawn their souls
to the local banks.
Buying big cars
they can't afford,
ridin' around town
actin' bored.
- Excerpt from Weekend Glory by Maya Angelou

Finally, the last poem in the collection is Our Grandmothers. Ms. Angelou has written this as a tribute to not just her ancestors but the ancestors of black women throughout history. She uses strong words to describe the struggles they endured and how they overcame those struggles by remaining strong and proud.

Centered on the world's stage,
she sings to her loves and beloveds,
to her foes and detractors:
However I am perceived and deceived,
however my ignorance and conceits,
lay aside your fears that I will be undone,
for I shall not be moved.
- Excerpt from Our Grandmothers by Maya Angelou

Overall Thoughts

Although many of Maya Angelou's works are written for and from an African Americans point of perspective on life, any person reading her works can come away with some special meaning for themselves.

There are some works that I simply can't grasp the full meaning or power behind the words because I am not African American. Of course I can't relate to some struggles they endured, however, I can relate to the message that she delivers in each of her works and that is to live your life. Not just go through each day so you can get to the next but really live your life. Take each day and tackle it head on. Don't let your environment or the negative actions of others drag you down. Stands tall and proud, holding strong to your beliefs and tightly to the power you possess inside.

Ms. Angelou is one of the most amazing women I have ever heard speak. Whether you are reading her works from paper pages, over the Internet, or in person, you will be forever changed. Her works are full of inspiration and hope for all people regardless of race, age, color, or creed.

This review was written for inclusion in the Reflections of Hope Write-Off, hosted by GinaHill and Angelabar. Please take time to visit the other participants reviews which can be found here: http://www.pronetisp.net/~anjuliz/hope.html, a special webpage designed by Angelabar for this write-off.

The participants include: 29th_Candidate, AdaDavis, Angelabar, Ginahill, danni_d, darkmistress, debbie26, Dr_Steph, Ed_Grover, ezreka, fallyn96, fjbpab, flamepillar, fragglemom, hawgwyld, jankp, jkkelley, jo.com, khahn86351, kittyokc, mellkinwa, missy32, murasaki, nwinston, phineaskc, roark_8, Sordid-1, Sloucho, SurgRN911, Sumo_Rhino, Westerbear










Recommended: Yes