Dried Blood Hue

The radiator’s coat is thick and old,

A dark maroon that’s turning into gold—

Or rust, more like, a bubbling, angry skin

That hides the heavy iron deep within.

I kicked the valve to stop the hissing sound,

And watched a flake fall slowly to the ground.

It’s stuck now to the rubber of my shoe,

A bit of scab, a deep and muddy hue.