The Articles

THE ARTICLES In the field of physics and chemistry Out of every jot and tittle The atom was smallest there could be It was so very little But we found a way to split it Now that we are so much wiser Even tinier bits emitted! It was just an appetiser [Some think e=mc squared Would be better left unknown But once it had been bared We just could not leave it alone] Now if parts of language we list Then the smallest bit or particle (And I'm finally getting to my gist) - has got to be the article In China they're more spectacular A different one for every noun But in the English vernacular We've just two to cast around There's the precise and proper DEFINITE With that you know where you are bound But with the INDEFINITE there's a deficit Of precision; you're on shaky ground We could split them a little more With linguistic synchro cyclotron Create articles galore And double our national lexicon Still I'm happy to tell you A truth Since, to choose from, there'll be a lot But to tell THE truth in sooth That would put me on the spot So take care with these little words Though they seem so small like a crumb Trivial, trifling and for the birds Used wrong they'll peck you on the bum