* Oral Tradition: Poetry likely began as oral traditions, passed down through generations. Early humans used rhythmic language, songs, and chants for storytelling, rituals, and even practical purposes like remembering hunting strategies.
* No Written Records: We don't have any written records from the very earliest periods of human history, so pinpointing the "first poet" is impossible.
* Global Origins: Poetry likely arose independently in many different cultures around the world. We have ancient examples from Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and many more.
Instead of a single "first poet," it's more accurate to think of poetry as an evolving art form with roots in the very beginnings of human communication.