Preventative

Before I put the kettle on or check the mail,

I go to the corner where the floorboards are warped.

The radiator is a heavy, iron beast

hissing behind its layers of flaking white paint.

I crouch down and reach for the bottom bolt.

I press the side of my finger against the rust,

waiting for the cold, metallic slip of water.

Nothing. Just the dry grit of the metal

staying exactly where I left it yesterday.