Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Phenomenal Woman's Graduation


Yesterday my youngest graduated from high school. A milestone in her life. My baby has graduated! So much of life in front of her. So much of life in front of her. I hope so much for my daughter as I do for all my children. Graduation is the mark of a new beginning. It made me think of a poem by Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman.


Phenomenal Woman

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 of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

It's what I wish for my daughter to become the woman she desires to become...anything that's before her I want her to strive to do if its her wish. I want the sky to be the limit.
AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE
I wrote Whispers of a Legend because of my daughters. I wanted both of them to understand that the road before them winds but to live...really live...you will persevere and hold to your dreams.   

6 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

A beautiful poem. Congratulations to your daughter!

Colleen Connally said...

Thanks, Jannine. It was a wonderful day even though it downpoured. So much it front of them. Happy Day!

Regina Duke said...

Beautiful sentiments! Congratulations to your wonderful daughter. I look back at myself at that age and wonder how I survived all the inner despair to enjoy life the way I do today. And I realize, it was the dreams and goals I set for myself! I am living them today.

Imagine how lovely your daughter will do without the youthful despair slowing her down! Amazing. :-)

Colleen Connally said...

Regina,
Thanks for the kind words. It is dreams and goals that see us though, isn't it? You always have to dream.

glenys said...

Love the poem! Congrats to your daughter on graduating; may the twists and turns in her road hide only joyful things.

Colleen Connally said...

Thanks, Glenys. I hope so too.