Nobility

Apr 3 18:45 UTC 2004

Helium makes me sound like Donald Duck,
Neon lights up the Strip for Lady Luck,
Argon's laser is a tumor-eater,
Krypton's wavelength helps define the meter, 
And Xenon strobes make disco dancers fleeter. 
(Radon's the ugly cousin in the basement,
And Berkeley* doubts poor Ununoctium's placement.)
I'd like to ask us all to raise our glasses
In gratitude to nature's Noble Gases. 

*Three atoms of Ununoctium (what a name!)
Were made at Berkeley several years ago. 
The result has not been verified, and so 
The discoverers have now withdrawn their claim.
This infobit was lifted with aplomb 
From www.webelements.com.