The first time I wrote anything which was publically shared I was in college. For my Public Speaking class the professor instructed us to write a poem describing something. I chose the wind. 

Because it was a Public Speaking class we were required to read what we wrote out loud. When I finished, my professor asked if I had actually written the piece. I told him that I did. He suggested that I have it copywritten, which I did. 

That was more than thrity years ago and my first realization that I have a gift with words.