# Quote — Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman

> Many people wonder where my secret lies,
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> I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model size.
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> When I try to show them they think I'm telling lies.
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> I say, it's in the reach of my arms,
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> the span of my hips,
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> the stride of my step,
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> the curl of my lips I'm Woman,
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> Phenominally .
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> I walk in a room just as cool as you please,
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> And to a man the fellows stand,
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> or fall down on their knees.
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> And then they swarm around me; a hive of honey bees.
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> I say,
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> oh it's the fire in my eyes,
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> the flash of my teeth,
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> the swing in my waist,
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> the joy in my feet.
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> Men themselves have wondered what they see in me.
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> They try so much but they can't touch my inner mystery.
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> When I try to show them they say they still can't see.
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> I say oh, it's in the arch of my back.
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> And now you understand just why my head's not bowed.
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> I don't shout or jump about,
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> or have to talk too loud.
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> When you see me walking out it ought to make you proud.
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> I say it's in the click of my heels.
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> The bend of my hair.
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> The palm of my hands.
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> The need for my care,
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> because I'm a woman.
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> Phenomenally.
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> Phenomenal Woman.
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> That's my mother,
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> and all your mothers.
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> And then my grandmothers.
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> And all your grandmothers.
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> And my great grandmothers,
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> And all your great grandmothers.
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> And my great great great,
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> And all your great great...
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> And all you women here,
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> And me.

- Author: [Maya Angelou](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou.md)
- Book: [Phenomenal Woman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/phenomenal-woman.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou#Phenomenal_Woman) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/phenomenal-woman/many-people-wonder