Barium, an alkaline earth metal,
considerable heavy and tall.
Silver white, pure even gold,
oxidized it looks gray and old.

Barium means heavy in old Greek,
a true name, so to speak.
But it is not a lazy guy,
glowing, not even shy.

Pure it is highly reactive,
not very partner selective.
Prefering Oxygen or Carbonate,
or if availeable forming a Sulphate.

The Alchemists of Europe did know,
the Bologna stone, with a fancy glow.
A Barium mineral ore,
to seperate the metal it took much more.

Sir Humphrey Davy and electrolysis,
extracted it from the mineral physis.
To find the metal of no particluar use,
which is not the full truth.

It is and was added here and there,
usually to react with gas and air.
A purifier so to say,
usuful in its own way.

Bariumsulphate is used in medicine,
if you need a colon screen.
In x-ray images it reveals what is hollow,
absorbing the energy of the radiation blow.

It makes firework apple green,
probably in silvester night seen.
With Titanium, it forms a blue gem,
glowing blue, I am a huge fan.

Barium is just happy being here,
it is big, nothing to fear.
It makes beautiful glowing stone,
and simply does not like to be alone.

Barium is peacful,
and beautiful.
Solid it is a sleeping bear,
watch and do not interfere.