Poetry Swap

Painting number 1, "Spiritual Sister" 30x30

L K Ludwig from The Poetic Eye is hosting a poetry exchange. I love it! If you wish to view or participate, get all the details here.

The poem I'm going to post is Phemoninal Woman by Maya Angelo. The three paintings shown are all one's I've done of women who've inspired me. Each is symbolic of their qualities.

Painting number 2, "Rebirth" 30x30

Pretty women, honey, they wonder just where my secret lies 'cause I'm not cuter, built to suit a model's fashion size but when I start to tell them they say girl, you're telling lies and I say, no, honey, it's in the reach of my arms, and it's in the span of my hips, it's the stride of my stepping, it's in the curl of my lips 'cause I'm a woman, honey, Phenomenally Phenomenal woman.

Sometimes I walk into a room just as cool as you please and to a man the fellows either stand up or fall down on their knees then they start swarming around me like a hive of honey bees and I say whoopcha must be this fire in my eyes could be the flash of my teeth, or the swing of my waist, or just the joy in my feet. All I know is I'm a woman, Phenomenally Phenomenal woman .

Now you understand why my head's not bowed, you won't see me dropped about or when you see me coming, it ought to make you proud, sister, girl, I say, it's the bend of my hair, it's the palm of my hands, The need for your care 'cause I'm a woman , you're a woman, we just women, we Phenomenal, Phenomenally Phenomenal, Phenomenal women.

Painting number 3 "Matante Hélène" (Aunt Helen) 16x20"



P.S. I've noticed that the version I have in my poetry book doesn't match the one I found online. It could be she has a couple of versions and this one was read outloud. To get the original source, go to Maya Angelou's website. Oh! I see she has a cook book now too. I have some books to add to my bookshelf!