Ode to the Electron

It’s a very small bit of matter,

9.1094×10^-31kg in mass,

but don’t let its nanoscopic size fool you.

This minuscule molecular

pulls more than its weight.

It is one of three subatomic particles

that make up the atoms

that make up the universe.

When transferred to another atom or shared,

it helps hold everything together.

When focused as an accelerated beam,

it can allow us to see the surface

of cells, crystals, and metal.

It prefers to pair up

and can be very destructive when left alone.

When left to travel

along a membrane in the mitochondria,

it helps produce enough power

for you to run a marathon.

And on the 4th of July,

it gets excited, then relaxes

and puts on a pretty colorful show.

So celebrate the electron,

an extremely tiny particle

that performs extraordinary feats!