Phenomenal Woman
Poetry Analysis
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was born as Marguerite Johnson on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was raised by her grandma where she learned faith and values. In a world filled with racism, hate, and despair Maya learned to put her emotions into the arts. She got a scholarship to San Francisco’s Labor School to study dance and drama, but she dropped out to work as a female cable car conductor. Later on, she finished high school, and afterwards she gave birth to her son, Guy. She supported her son by working as a waitress and cook. But Maya's longing to pursue the arts never left and she would go on to become one of the most influential and inspirational poets of this time.
Explication
Literal
I Am a Woman
The stride in my step
The curl of my lips
Phenomenally
The ride of my breast
The grace of my style
Phenomenal Woman
The palm of my hand
The need for my care
' Cause I'm a woman