Phenomenal Woman!

Maya Angelou´s poem Phenomenal Woman seems to be a very appropriate poem for today March, 8th .   Let´s listen to Maya herself reciting it!  Enjoy it!!!

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.

Now, let´s have a look at what women in other parts of the world do to celebrate the IWD.  In London they they have a very special night for girls, The Girls Skate Night

You can read today´s Los Angeles Times here

In Australia their slogan today is Leave no woman behind! 

A summary of activities all over the world can be found here!