Honey bees (symbol)
The honey bees referenced in stanza two represent the men who are drawn to the speaker. Her sweetness and allure are like honey. However, the honey bees may also symbolize worker bees that are subservient to a queen bee. The men are at the mercy of the speaker—a queen bee who dictates their behavior and commands them to follow her lead.
Female body (symbol)
The female body, as depicted throughout the poem, symbolizes the strength and beauty of a woman. The speaker does not merely describe her features—she specifically points out attributes and gestures that may possess a double meaning. For example, the reach of her arms may represent a woman reaching her goals. The curl of her lips represents every emotion she expresses, from a smile to a frown. The stride of her step represents the confidence she feels as a strong woman.
Female empowerment (motif)
The poem as a whole represents the motif of female empowerment. The speaker embraces the woman she is—an imperfect being who is perfectly happy with the way she looks and feels. She does not allow jealous women to make her feel small, and she exerts an enigmatic power over men that they cannot take away from her. She knows her importance in this world, and she knows the world should be proud of her.
