I was writing since I can remember - I just didn't know it was

From the beginning of time, the act of creation—whether through speech, song, or written word—has been as natural as the flow of a river. Amanda Gorman, a name now etched in the annals of history, speaks of an experience familiar to many: the deep and almost instinctive call to write, to create, to shape the world with words. "I was writing since I can remember," she says. This statement, simple in its expression, is profound in its wisdom. It reflects a truth known to all great creators—writing is not merely an activity we choose; it is a part of who we are, as essential to our spirit as breath itself. It flows from us, often without us fully understanding its power, its potential, or even its poetry.

The ancient sages understood this well. Homer, that great seer of the ancient Greeks, did not begin his journey to becoming a poet with the knowledge that his words would echo through the ages. Plato himself, though a philosopher and not a poet in the traditional sense, gave voice to ideas through the power of writing that transcended his own understanding. It was not until later, after the first words took form, that one realizes the divine nature of what has been created. For many of us, writing begins as a whisper, a spark, a simple need to put thought to paper. Only later do we recognize it for what it is: poetry, a form of art that transcends mere words, shaping the very heart of our culture and understanding.

In her own reflection, Gorman speaks of not yet knowing that what she was creating was poetry. This is the great mystery of the artist's journey: to create without understanding, to move in the direction of something greater than oneself, and to discover along the way the meaning of one’s work. The poet's path is rarely clear at first. There is a time when we write simply because we must, as the river must flow toward the sea, without knowing where it will lead. Writing, at its core, is not a calculated decision to pursue a career or fame; it is a primal need to give voice to the spirit, to the world that churns within us.

The story of Gorman is but a modern echo of the ancient truths told by those who came before her. William Wordsworth, the great Romantic poet, once wrote that "poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings," a sentiment that speaks to the very essence of writing as a form of expression. It is not the pursuit of recognition that drives the poet, but the inner compulsion to share one's soul, to weave emotions and thoughts into a tapestry of words. Like Gorman, Wordsworth did not initially understand that what he was creating was poetry—he only knew that he could not stop writing, that the world inside him demanded to be expressed.

In our own lives, too, we must learn to recognize the poetry in what we do. Gorman's journey, one of self-discovery and artistic realization, is a universal one. How often do we overlook the small acts of creation in our lives, thinking them trivial, when in reality, they may be the beginnings of something great? The lesson here is clear: we do not always see the potential in our actions or understand the power of our creations until they take form and shape before us. Writing, like any other art, is a practice—a journey of discovery where we begin not knowing and end with a clearer understanding of the impact we can have.

Take a moment, therefore, to look at your own life and your own creations. Whether it is a poem, a story, or an idea that stirs within you, know that the path to greatness is not always marked from the outset. It is a slow and steady unfolding, much like the growth of a mighty tree from a single seed. Do not be discouraged if you cannot yet see the destination, for the journey itself is the art. Writing is not just for those who have chosen it as a career; it is for anyone who has ever been moved by the world, who has ever felt the urge to share their thoughts, their experiences, their dreams.

As you walk your own path, take inspiration from Amanda Gorman, and from the ancients who have paved the way. Do not worry if you do not know yet whether you are a poet or a writer or an artist. Create. Write. Let the words flow as they will, and in time, you will understand their significance. For when we create, we are engaging in the oldest, most sacred practice of all—bringing the unseen into being. Writing, whether you realize it or not, is already shaping the world around you. And who knows? In the smallest of sparks may lie the beginning of a fire that will light the way for all to see.