OBGYN.net: Women's Health

After working on the Update this morning I sat around for awhile trying to think of something to write about for my Reflections column. I was empty, thoughtless, perhaps a bit brainless when I received an email containing a beautiful poem from Deborah Wage. It's by Maya Angelou and written for us, about us. It is a poem that each of us should copy and keep with us at all times to re-read and help us to understand what and who we are. It's title is "Phenomenal Woman" and was written by her for Women's History Month.. Here are the opening lines:

So far it sounds like what many of us think and as I read further I started to smile and agree and nod my head... We tend to forget that there is a great difference between us and men and that, "special part" is what makes us so wonderful. Sometimes we lose it or forget to use it but it is there with us always.

When I was growing up in the 40's and 50's it was a time of, "Father Knows Best" and "Ozzie and Harriet". A time in most families , when Moms stayed home and Dads went to work. It was a time of very defined roles for men and women. Well in the 90's most of that has changed and somewhere along the way a lot of us have changed too. Most of the changes have been for the better but some of what we are, "the Magic of Womanhood" has taken a back seat in our thoughts about ourselves. So I am sending this beautiful poem about us to you so that you can read it and smile and maybe get the feel of it and find a way to keep that part of ourselves that is unique to women only.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion 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 steps 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 of 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.

Deborah has asked that if you enjoyed this poem you will send a copy to 5 phenomenal women today in celebration of Women's History month. Thank you Deborah and Maya from all of us.

Barbara's Reflections

OBGYN.net Celebrates Women's History Month