I uncovered this little poem in a stack of old writings. It was written my sophomore year of high school, in Chemistry, and I believe the assignment was to create an artistic tribute to an element. Mine was potassium. I decided to write a poem in heightened tone, a blend of Monty Python and Ode on a Grecian Urn. The resultant weirdness is below.
O Potassium, Potassium, shining bright
Metallic, clean and silvery-white.
You’re abundant in nature, to my delight
In feldspar, saltepeter, and carnallite.
Your symbol is ‘K’, so tall and noble.
It’s a good thing that you’re insoluble.
Discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy,
Your surface is flat; it is not wavy.
You can be cut with a knife,
Though you cause no pain or strife.
In olden days, you were used in barter.
Today you’re used for cream of tartar.
You clean so well, I say with glee,
You’re also used in photography.
And now my ode has come to an end.
So farewell, Potassium, my mineral friend.