In My Element

The elements created by man
to serve man
have but a short lifespan

a half-life of milliseconds of radioactivity
perhaps just enough to let us see periodically
the beginnings of the universe or say
a tumour

I’m glad I’m not
a brand-new element
(though we all come from some big bang)

at least I’ve had time
to expand and grow
and the older I am

the more I know
my half-life tends
toward eternity