Phenomenal Woman

T-shirt: c/o Apartment 349 | Blazer: Marshalls (similar) | Skirt: Banana Republic (similar) | Shoes: Thrifted, BCBGeneration

Last month, I came across this Vivian and Clair t-shirt which inspired a post I wrote about how these fictional matriarchs impacted my life. A few days after the post, the designer reached out to me, told me how much she enjoyed what I had written (especially the Proverbs 31 passage that accompanied it), and sent me a shirt as a 'thank you'. I was so excited!

In light of recent events*, I thought it fitting to wear the shirt in today's post sharing what is arguably one of Maya Angelou's most popular poems, a piece that I think further describes the vibe Vivian Banks and Clair Huxtable both evoked on their respective television sitcoms. Enjoy.

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.

*R.I.P. Maya Angelou