252. Edward
Edward Fox
was simply born to say the word
Calcium
with an appropriate level of gravitas.
the crooked teeth,
the tweedy English threads
with leather elbow-patches,
the brogues,
the very epitome
of the Public School chemistry teacher
if ever I saw one.
I’ve scoured the periodic table
from Helium to Lawrencium
to see if there is some mistake;
I’ve tried to imagine him
treading the boards and
un self-consciously
enunciating the other alkali metals,
the transition elements,
the noble gases & even the actinides,
but I always return to the calcareous king
of chemistry, chalk & cheese –
our good friend, calcium.
In case you think I’m mistaken,
just picture it in your mind’s eye
& see if you can imagine him
convincingly, lovingly, tenderly
calling another’s name.