Earl Schumacker Poet Didactic

Last of the First Elements

Last Of The First Elements

(H)  Hydrogen is sweet and gentle by design
A nucleus with an electric and positive charge
Found everywhere in nature at large

It lives an ordinary life in time and space
On the periodic table, it simply waits

As #1 in line to start, begins the chart, for other elements
Very stable, not too many threats come from hydrogen

(Uuo) Ununoctium on the other hand, is one of the latest
Of the most recent discoveries as #118 on the table

The last element is #103 "Lawrencium
           (we'll save that for another day.)
           (It's on a lower chart)
These elements are as unstable as a fable 
Precarious things, to say the least, on the chemistry table
Only existing for some milliseconds at a time

Since  Ununoctium was created, not pure or found in nature
Perhaps it’s time to start
A new life for itself as #1 on a new elemental chart 
Of invented elements 

Born in a nuclear reactor from calcium ions and radioactive californium
A most unstable baby from birth
It lives to the ripe old age of 0.89 milliseconds

But what a wonderful life it leads
Don’t ask it on a date
Or say anything about its atomic weight
Too much drama there…. There it is!....There it isn’t…. Unpredictable 
It looks a little like this when naked on the shell
1s2
2s2   2p6
3s2   3p6   3d10
4s2   4p6   4d10   4f14
5s2   5p6   5d10   5f14
6s2   6p6   6d10
7s2   7p6
It is simply divinely designed with a lovely configuration
Not exactly a split atom, or personality with a disposition
Being here or there 
To be precise, it is something rather nice… when in existence

Created on 12/03/14 for -Periodic Table of Elements – Poetry Contest

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Dr. Upma A. Sharma December 4, 2014 at 3:37 AM Wow a great scientific venture wid words my dear friend Earl! great work! Earl Schumacker December 4, 2014 at 8:30 AM Hi Dr. Sharma, Thank you so much. As you can see, I had to do some research on this matter to get my facts straight. I was surprised to discover that "new" information could not be found on the internet on this subject. My locale library was closed down due to lack of funding. I might have to subscribe to a science magazine again to get updated science. Thanks again. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day. Earl

Jan Allison December 3, 2014 at 10:47 AM wow you blinded me with science earl - great write - good luck with the contest:-) Hugs jan xx Earl Schumacker December 3, 2014 at 11:14 AM Hi Jan, Thank you. I love science, technology and chemistry but I am not as strong or as knowledgeable as I would like to be in those subjects. This was very difficult for me. I have not kept up with the new discoveries in Chemistry. Take care. Earl

Jan Allison December 3, 2014 at 10:46 AM wow you blinded me with science earl - great write - good luck with the contest:-) Hugs jan xx