Here's why:
* Early Works: He started writing poetry in his youth, but many of his early works were private and not published.
* No Records: Records of his early writing aren't complete.
* Different Definitions: "First poem" can be interpreted in different ways – a childhood rhyme, a more serious attempt, or a published piece.
However, we know he was writing poetry by the time he was a young man:
* "Misunderstandings": His first published poem, "Misunderstandings," appeared in *The Comic Times* in 1854, when he was 22.
* "The Hunting of the Snark": His famous poem, "The Hunting of the Snark," was published in 1876, showing a continued interest in poetry.
So, while we can't pinpoint his absolute "first poem," we know he was writing poetry from a young age and it became a significant part of his literary career.