Sapphire

Below the surface.

The crushing. The heating

stifles to mark out

the volcanic process.

Rocks are nearly squeezed

into the same places.

Pauli’s exclusion

principle is tested

and a slow cooling

starts. A crystal childbirth.

I am born, all pure.

Blue -

but I do not breathe.

I am a symbol

of high nobility.

A Roman king will

wear me –

to ward off harm.

My colour forms by

impurities that seep….

Mineral iron

and titanium seep

into oxide of

aluminium.

Blue

ligand-field effects

explain my hue. I cry….

I will be ground up

by a Persian one day.

A new medicine