* Early forms of communication: Before written language, storytelling and song were crucial for transmitting knowledge, history, and cultural values. These oral traditions, which are fundamentally poetic in their use of rhythm, rhyme, and imagery, likely predate written poetry.
* Evolution of writing: Early writing systems often served practical purposes like record-keeping and communication. It was likely that poetry, with its more intricate and expressive language, developed later as a way to explore deeper emotions, ideas, and experiences.
* Defining "literature": The very definition of "literature" can be debated. Is it solely written texts, or does it encompass oral traditions and other forms of artistic expression?
However, poetry does have several characteristics that make it a natural early form of expression:
* Memory and memorization: Poetry's rhythm and rhyme made it easier to remember and transmit orally, crucial in pre-literate societies.
* Emotional impact: Poetry's use of imagery, metaphor, and sound devices allows for a powerful and direct expression of human feelings.
* Social cohesion: Poetry often served to unite communities through shared stories and values.
In summary: While we can't say for certain that poetry was the *absolute first* form of literature, its early presence in many cultures, its inherent memorability, and its capacity for emotional expression suggest that it played a significant role in the development of human language and artistic expression.