Reader's poem

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 20, 2009

MERCURY We are all in favour of bright ideas, Especially those that ease environment fears, Low-energy bulbs will fail as all things must, Another suspect item for our earthly crust.

It now appears mercury is an s A system to remove mercury from the battery core, Somewhere a question raises up its head, Down what deadly lit avenue are we being lead.

Who's bright idea, who's strident voice, Denies us selection, denied us choice, Propaganda states it helps reduce carbon gas, Replaced by mercury oh what a "faux pas".

Once again those who make the rules, Are treating us like a pack of fools, A lethal object will light every room, Should it shatter it could be your personal doom.

No doubt there will be a mercurial tax, And no apology made as they hide the facts, Now let us all our new gas masks wear, As we sit discontented under the new low-energy glare.

R CHARLTON, Washington..