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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
Copyright ©
Geoffrey Brewer
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