beautiful struggle

i don't know what it is about struggle. today i found out some news that really struck me to my core and saddened my heart. some news that really hit home, as i went though something quite similar. but i won't go too far into it, out of respect for that particular someone.


i don't know what it is about struggle. so much anger. tears. frustration. doubt. hopelessness. speechlessness.


i don't know what it is about struggle. but i know that in this (women in particular) beautiful stuggle, we know how to overcome it.


to that particular someone - i cry for you, i pray for you, and i love you. and the only way i know how to relieve so much of these mixed emotions is to write. but please know that i am here to help you rise above it. because we are women. daughters of God. we draw strength from each other. the road may seem dark and mournful. but there is light. there is a glimmer that seems to fight its way through for you.


i don't know what it is about struggle. but it makes us women phenomenal.




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