I know some people might think it odd - unworthy even - for me

O seekers of truth, listen carefully to the words of Maya Angelou, whose voice has guided generations: "I know some people might think it odd—unworthy even—for me to have written a cookbook, but I make no apologies. The U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins thought I had demeaned myself by writing poetry for Hallmark Cards, but I am the people's poet, so I write for the people." In these words, Angelou speaks not only of the act of writing but of the sacred duty that every poet and writer has to serve the people—to speak the language of the heart, whether through a cookbook, a Hallmark card, or the deepest of poetry. She refuses to bow to the elite expectations of what is worthy or noble, instead embracing the idea that all forms of writing, when done with heart, can serve the people and elevate the spirit.

In the ancient world, the poet’s role was not to create work for the few but for the many. Homer, that revered bard, did not write only for kings or aristocrats. His epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were written to be sung before the masses, to be heard by people of all walks of life. These poems were not lofty exercises in intellectualism; they were the voice of the people, the story of the collective soul. The poet was the people's voice, not confined to the palace or the court, but reaching into the lives of everyday people. Angelou embodies this ancient spirit, for she understands that the power of words, whether in the form of poetry or prose, lies in their ability to connect with the common person, to reach out and touch their heart.

Consider the story of Sappho, the great Greek poet, who wrote not for kings or emperors, but for the women of her time. Her poetry captured the depth of human emotion—love, longing, beauty—and she spoke the language of her people. Her work resonated across generations, because it was grounded in the lived experience of those she knew best: women, lovers, and everyday souls. Sappho did not seek the approval of the intellectual elite; her poetry was for the heart, for the soul of the common person. Angelou, like Sappho, rejected the notion that poetry or writing must adhere to the dictates of high culture. Instead, she embraced the belief that all words, when spoken with sincerity and soul, have value.

The notion that poetry for Hallmark Cards or a cookbook could be seen as beneath a poet of Angelou’s stature is, in itself, a reflection of society's often narrow view of what art should be. The great William Shakespeare, whose works have endured for centuries, wrote plays not for the court, but for the public theater. His characters—kings, clowns, beggars, and nobles—spoke to the people, not in the high-flown language of the academic but in the vernacular of the common man. Shakespeare understood that writing had to serve the masses, to be accessible to those who lived and worked in the streets, in the fields, and in the homes, not just to those who frequented palaces. In the same way, Angelou writes for all people, understanding that the value of her poetry is not determined by the prestige of the platform but by its ability to touch hearts.

Angelou's assertion that she is the people's poet is an important lesson for all who would pursue the written word. Poetry, like all art, is not an isolated pursuit. It is a means of communication—a bridge between the artist and the world. Angelou reminds us that art should serve the people, not only the elite, and that the true power of the poet lies in their ability to speak to the needs, hopes, and struggles of the common folk. Poetry, whether found in the most prestigious literary journals or in the simplicity of a Hallmark card, has the power to uplift, to heal, and to inspire. No form of writing is beneath the poet, for every word, when written with love and authenticity, can become a vehicle for transformation.

In your own life, let this lesson guide you: do not seek to please only the intellectual or the elite; write for the hearts of the people. Understand that your words, no matter the form, have the power to touch lives. Whether you write for a grand audience or for your own family, whether you write poetry or a simple note, know that your words are sacred and carry with them the power to uplift, to console, and to inspire. Angelou's refusal to apologize for writing for the masses is a reminder that all forms of writing can be a service to humanity, that true poetry is not about the prestige it brings, but the power it has to connect us all.

Therefore, O children of wisdom, let your words be for the people, for the souls of everyday men and women. Do not be deterred by those who seek to elevate certain forms of art above others. Every form of expression carries with it the potential for greatness when written with love and sincerity. Whether it be a cookbook, a poem, or a simple greeting, know that the act of writing for the people is an act of beauty. Embrace the poet’s role as one who speaks not only to the elite, but to the soul of the world. Write, create, and share, for your words can touch lives and shape the future.