An ancient metal of the alchemy,
a matter of speed and mobility.
Mercury the planet associated,
with the greek god related

Quicksilver and Hydragyrum,
old words of big mysterium.
Describing the same metallic anomaly,
liquid at room temperature is only Mercury.

It binds excellent with sulfur and chloride,
and with every other halogenide.
Cinnabar, a mercury sulfide,
is where most of the atoms hide.

It can happen that you find it there,
even though it is very rare.
That it is pure metal, free of all,
a silvery droplet, usually small.

It has no affinity to iron and oxygen,
and is unaffected from nitrogen.
Amalgams are formed from mercury,
a spectacular property.

It means metals are dissolved,
from that an own chemistry evolved.
Industrially used for silver and gold,
a method ancient and old.

To gain those precious metals from ore,
but mercury is capable of much more.
Part of the first thermometer,
and even pressure in pygnometer.

Quite inert against plastics and glas,
you can use mercury even as a gas.
For light and lamps of some sort,
good for electricity transport.

Mercury is toxic, if it is inhaled or injected,
from the gastrointestinals it is rejected.
Still do not give it a try,
there is no need for it to apply.

All the medicine stuff is ancient and wrong,
from pharmacies it is long gone.
You probably know Alice in wonderland,
and the mad hatter, a sort of friend.

Mercury nitrate was used for carrotting,
a method of felt colouring.
Mercury steam makes you insane,
and a kidney desease you will gain.

So Mercury indeed an alchemical substance,
of unique properties and significance.
A metal dissovling metals, fantastic,
but inert to iron, glas and plastic.

Liquid at room temperature,
thought to be a medical cure.
A gift from the devil? From sulfuric hell?
Unlikely, but who can tell?