Poem: "Feudal Chemistry"
This poem came out of the June 5, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by rix_scaedu and sponsored by janetmiles. You might enjoy reading an article about base metals.
Feudal Chemistry
The base metals include those
which oxidize easily, such as
iron, nickel, lead, zinc, and copper.
These form the foundations of our technology.
The precious metals
of gold and silver
are used primarily for adornment.
They don't even underlie the economy anymore.
In chemistry, as in feudalism,
the commoners do all the work
and the nobles are just there to look good.