Maya Angelou wrote her first poem when she was just 14 years old. This was during a very challenging time in her life. After a traumatic event, she became mute for almost five years. During this period, she found solace in literature and poetry. It was her teacher, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, who helped her find her voice again by introducing her to the works of great authors and encouraging her to read and write.
Her first poem was a result of this encouragement. Writing became a way for her to express her feelings and cope with her experiences. This early start in poetry laid the foundation for her future as a renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist.