Have you written much poetry? There is no reason you should be unable to do both.
Even without personal experience on the matter of metals, you are more knowledgeable than I am when it comes to magical applications. Naturally what is being done with metals is expanded when magic comes into the mix. It may simply be another way of using metals away from their natural properties. But you certainly use some alloys. Even steel is a combination of carbon and iron.
It has never been my problem that there is a dearth of material to learn. There may be difficulties in getting my hands on it, or at times things may be destroyed. But they are out there. I have been reading some Russian poetry, and I'll admit I have some fondness for Sophia Parnok's love poems.