Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

“Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women” Review

Maya Angelou was an American poet, a great memoirist, and civil rights activist that helped influence the world. She was a powerful, yet beautiful voice to the voiceless. Her works have been deemed some of the most beautiful works of art, providing the wisdom and hope all people look for. The four poems within the collection, “Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women” is definitely a keeper because she gives you all walks of life as a woman in which she actually experienced firsthand in one single book. Maya Angelou’s book, “Phenomenal Woman” is one of her best works that I think every girl, no matter the color of her skin, should have in their collection because it helps young women to face adversities, build an identity, and appreciate why we are all unique and special. Although the book goes in a different order when reading, I would like to begin with “Our Grandmothers” to set the foundation connecting history to the present. This poem told the story of generations of women that faced adversities in order to save and support their children. I believe this poem demonstrates how grandmothers and mothers are a critical asset to the family. It briefly begins with the scene of a mother enslaved en route to save her children knowing that she would be the sacrifice for their freedom. It further names great African-American women who came before us, who sacrificed and laid down a foundation of strength, which allowed many of us to be here today. It finally connects the dots to the “grandmothers” and adversities we see in today’s generation; still yet these women are being an angel to their families, even though they struggle to provide in a time and age where the “system” is still against them. The poem “Weekend Glory” is definitely a must read because in today’s society, we see young women with a lack of priorities. These young ladies would rather flaunt and impress people while living above their means than conduct themselves as ladies. They struggle with low...