I can blow you all to hell

But I’m not without

a sense of humour

N2O is the proof, nitrous oxide

Inhale some laughing gas

and see my funny side

N is my symbol

N for nebulous

necessary

and nondescript.

Carbon

I am an atom of carbon

And carbon is the key

I am the element of life

And you owe yours to me

I am the glue of the Universe

The fixative

used by the Great Model-maker

I play a waiting game

Lie low that’s my secret

Take a breath every millennium

But though set in my ways

Don’t be misled. I’m not inert

I will go down in cosmic history

as an adventurer

For when I do make a move

Things happen and fast

I am an atom of carbon

And carbon is the key

I am the element of life

And you owe yours to me

When the tune is called

I carry the message

to the piper

Take the lead

in the decorous dance

of life and death

Patient, single-minded and stable

I keep my talents hidden

Bide my time

Until by Time am bidden.

Iron

Fe fi fo fum

As hard as nails

As tough as they come

I’m the most important

Metal known to man

(though aluminium

is more common

do we need another can?)

Five per cent of the earth’s crust

I am also the stone at its centre

Iron fist in iron glove

Adding weight to the system

I am the firma in the terra

Fe fi fo

Don’t drop me on your toe

My hobbies are space travel

And changing the course of history

(they even named an Age after me

– eat your heart out Gold)

And changing shape of course

From axe heads and plough shares

To masks maidens and missiles

I am malleable

I bend to your will

I am both the sword and the shield

The bullet and the forceps

I am all around you

And more much more

You are all around me 2, 3, 4…

You’ve got me

Under your skin

I’m in your blood

What a spin that I’m in

Haemoglobin

You’ve got me

Under your skin

So strike while I’m hot

For if I’m not there

What are you?

Anaemic that’s what

Fe fi

High and mighty

Iron

Gregarious and fancy-free

Easy going that’s me

No hidden depths

I’m not elusive

To be conclusive

You get what you see

Fe Fe

Mercury

I repose at great speed

The joker in the pack

I cannot be fathomed

and turn your preconceptions

upside-down

You’ll find me attractive

But I’m bad

(a poisoned chalice)

Hatters did

and they went mad

(ask Alice)

Alchemists

throughout the years

have been besotted by me

And understandably

I promised Gold

immortality

The secret of eternal youth

What I delivered

was Death

A stab in the back

As befits

The joker in the pack

Quicksilver