Chemistry Class

Now it seems they see that Chemistry
Is much more worse than pythagoras and trigonometry.
That they have to deal with questions
Much difficult than balancing equations.
And they have to master the periodic table
While no one cares if they are able.
And they have to master protons and neutrons,
Not to leave out anions and ations.
And to speak of the Avogadro’s number;
That they have to master before September…
And still they gazed. And still the wonder grew,
That one small head should carry all it knew.

Then a wind stirred the tree
By the school dance hall;
Sunrise struck the water
Of the fountain’s fall.
And a bird broke the silence
Laughing at it all.