On a Scintillation Vial

 

White cap, thy grooves they do caress

Ridges of low-potassium glass.

Filled with solvents which light emit,

When with a Beta they are hit.

And if, by chance, I drop thee down

Thou wilt not break, despite the ground.

Once in the counter, row by row,

Each one doth down the black hole go.

Then with photoelectrics and computers, no doubt,

The number of C P M's prints out.

 (© 1985 Connie S. Tettenborn)