Summary
In the poem “Phenomenal Woman,” the speaker establishes herself as an extraordinary woman who doesn't conform to conventional standards of beauty. She acknowledges that she is not thin like a "fashion model" but possesses a different kind of allure. When "pretty women" ask her secret, she reveals that her beauty lies in her wide hips, her smile, her self-assured walk, and her stature. However, the “pretty women” don’t believe her.
The speaker tells us that whenever she walks into a room with her calm demeanor, men strive for her attention and surround her like honeybees surround a hive. She claims that these men are attracted to her because of her content and happy attitude and the passion in her eyes.
These men also wonder why they are attracted to the speaker. They try to capture the air of mystery around her but fail. The speaker reveals that her confidence, her smile, the shape of her bosom, and her graceful style attract these men.
The speaker asserts that she moves through the world with boldness because she doesn't need others to validate her. Instead, she exudes an aura of self-assurance that other women should be proud of. Her appeal lies in the graceful way she walks in heels, the effortless flow of her hair, and the warmth with which she cares for others. She possesses an innate extraordinariness, which, eventually, makes her a phenomenal woman.
