The backbone of life,
the base of organic matter,
got a mysterious drive,
creating something better.

It is thousandfold bound,
in liquids, gas and solid material,
everywhere on earth found,
in oil and breakfast cereal.

Together with oxygen and hydrogen,
it is lifes basic ingredient,
probably with some sulphur and nitrogen,
greater than a single component.

Carbon itself is tetravalent,
but not as stubborn as silicon,
its electron cloud is easy bent,
binding with what comes along.

It can be coal if unstructured,
graphite in hexagonal layer,
diamond under pressure manufactured,
Fullerene high complex, geometric player.

Very different in properties,
very variable in availability,
endless possibilities,
full of flexible creativity.

The isotopes can date long time,
of ancient archaeology,
for dating into the history line,
even for paleontology.

From heat source and dirt,
in different impurity grades,
for engagement after a good flirt,
many varieties and shades.

Still yet carbon,
a single element,
but if it is just not alone,
it is even more excellent.

All the smells, the spices,
alcohols, vegetables and wood,
sugar, plastics sheets and slices,
enzymes and life motors yet not fully understood.

It is the element shaping our earth,
at least the green part,
full of grow, wonders and birth,
miraculous wonder of natures art.

In so many facetes of existence,
hydrocarbons are everywhere,
yet unclear if there is life in the distance,
who knows what is out there.

Wherever Carbon is, life can be,
like humans it loves to bond,
it can be active and free,
it even can correspond.

In dependency of its direct connection,
it is slightly different to the others,
predetermining the reaction,
variating to its brothers.

So many similarties to human kind,
as if it had the character of nature itself
how it acts and how it bind.
how it acts towards itself.

It can either be complicated,
structured and related,
this might be family,
at least a possibility.

If there is more freedom,
structure is a little bit gone.
Probably a close friendship,
a not so sure relationship.

Next is completely undefined,
unoriented and aligned,
it is all the other people around,
a constant switch, steady and sound.

If one withstands pressure,
one gains wealth beyond measure,
or it breaks or burns,
or reacts, shifts and turns.

An element with a unique chemistry,
filling books and minds,
with variable identity,
creating wonders of all kinds.

Like the metallurgical wonder steel,
or carbides for tools and drills,
Carbon impact from industry is real,
dry ice for a good camping chill,

Magnificent and incredible,
together with water, it is nature,
from toxic to edible,
life’s backbone and structure.