This is the sort of poem that inspires me to pick up a pen and try to make sense of the chaos in my head.
I know Oprah Winfrey gets a bad rap for many things, but I once saw her recite this poem and I was completely blown away by her. She put so much feeling into it that I only wish I could have been in the same room with her and not watching it on tv. I think I may even prefer the way she did over Maya Angelou's recitation; though I feel a little guilty in admitting that.
Ain't I a Woman!
--Sojourner Truth
I Said to Poetry
--Alice Walker
How to Watch Your Brother Die--Michael Hassell
Pretty woman wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion models 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 of 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 tell 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.