Here's why:
* Early poems are often lost or undocumented. Burns began writing poetry in his youth, and many of his early works may have been lost or never formally recorded.
* There's no agreed-upon "first" poem. Burns was prolific, and his early works were often informal and sometimes even satirical in nature. It's difficult to definitively say which one holds the title of his "first."
However, some of the earliest surviving works by Burns include:
* "Handsome Nell" (1768): This is often cited as one of his earliest poems, though it's a simple ballad and doesn't show the full development of Burns' style.
* "The Life and Adventures of a Black-Eyed Lass" (1772): This poem is a bit more complex and shows more of Burns' wit and humor.
* "The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer" (1785): This poem, written when Burns was 26, is more polished and addresses political and social issues, showing his growing maturity as a poet.
Ultimately, while we can't pinpoint the exact first poem, these early works offer a glimpse into the early development of one of Scotland's most beloved poets.