I believe I stole this prompt from Carrie McKay, but she is so generous she would never rat me out. Choose an element you love or randomly slide your finger across the periodic table. Write an ode to that element: show your gratitude for its influence on your life, perhaps all life, or simply its potential power to end life. Fall in love, be hyperbolic, hold nothing back. 

For inspiration read “Ode to Lithium #1: The Watchmen” by Shira Erlichman. And here is another beautiful poem praising lithium: “Lithium Dreams (White Sea)” by Amy Beeder. I began an ode to helium and someday (I hope) I will finish it. 

Photo credit: This image was downloaded for free at the online site pixbay.