Of the options given, poetry is generally considered the oldest genre of literature. Poetry has been around for thousands of years, with examples dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks.
One reason why poetry is considered the oldest genre is because it was often used in oral traditions to tell stories and convey important cultural and religious beliefs. Before writing was widely used, people would memorize and recite poems as a way to preserve their history and traditions.
In addition, poetry is often characterized by its use of language and form, which can convey meaning and emotion in a powerful way. This use of language to express thoughts and feelings is a fundamental aspect of human communication, and poetry has been used to do this for centuries.
While prose, drama, and other genres have certainly been around for a long time as well, poetry has a longer history and has played an important role in the development of literature and human expression.