A metalloid of some popularity,
fast combined with its toxicity.
Definitly known in ancient greek,
its discovery further in history to seek.

The name comes from al’zarnik,
from the persian region to the greek.
They called it arsenikón,
and meant a mineral with a golden tone.

The pigment was used in paint and jewelery,
first as a decorative opportunity,
Due to arsenics sulfide affinity
it is strongly related to early copper industry,

It is reported to be used as dipilatory,
and was for alchemists mandatory.
Magnus Albertus was the first to document,
via a coal reduction treatment,

to willingly gain metallic arsenic metal,
four-hundred years later it was supposed to heal,
Roughly at the same time in the sixteenth century,
with a similiarity to sulphur and mercury,

Paracelsus and Li Shizhen published pharmaceutic use,
while in paints and colouring more and more to introduce.
Kings yellow and Paris green,
bright colours until then not seen.

Arsenic and componounds had a career as pesticide,
through its obvious toxicity for that it was forbidden wide,
To start a career besides an assasins toxin,
entering the broad warfare scene.

In the beginning it was used to strengthen lead,
a new amonition potential freed,
to evolve to a very dark chapter of humanity,
embracing Arsenics full killing potency.

During World War I as gasous weapon,
causing severe gen defects and pain,
Vietnam War and in the Gulf of Mexico,
warfar events of a long horrible row.

This dark chapter has been overcome,
and the usecase for Arsenic warfare done.
In electric application Arsenic found to peace,
in Galium-Arsenide semiconductor with nice properties.

As light emitting diodes or integrated circuit,
it is part of our civilisation quite a bit,
and returned to bring us colorful joy,
on screens and any new smart toy,

Besides its overall toxicity,
in small amount a fundamental necessity,
to ensure body metabolsim and functionality,
as Paracelsus said, the amount determines toxicity.

So a metalloid, an element inbetween,
the brightest and darkest of humanity seen,
It is beautiful and in that is just fine,
instead of harm, it can make the world shine.