Set Chemistry

From this day on my home is but a bomb;
my nine year old discovered chemistry.
A set gift from a neighbor near,
test tubes and all that jazz;
my little boy seems into it--
it’s adolescent labs.

Yet labs of nine year olds are risk;
they take those chemicals and agitate.
A bit of sulfur in the tube,
some acid just for kicks;
a opaque vapor rising forth--
unstable compound mix.

Refrain:
(I need to buy a new fire extinguisher
in case reactions of might occur.
Because it’s not too hard
to make nitroglycerin.
I tell him the rules,
but I don’t think he will listen.)

From this day on the chemistry is set;
my little Curie fills his beaker full.
He stands upon a grapefruit crate
and heats his mix in flame.
The nitrate of potassium--
things will never be the same.

And with aplomb he fidgets with a flask;
he measures out some powdered charcoal too.
He looks around like he is mad,
how serious his glance!
His chemistry set could ignite,
because it is advanced.

Refrain:
(I need to buy a new fire extinguisher
in case reactions of might occur.
Because he’s nine years old
and enthusiasm rules.
Gift givers mean well,
but many a time they’re fools.)

36 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
June 9, 2014