Centering the kettle on the coil
I track the knob to seven
As too much heat, I find,
Will boil it over.

When steam frills up
I splash the water on my tea
And set the kettle cooling
On the stove back;

To keep the handle upright
And its oak from blackening
I’ve braced a metal clip
Behind the strap bracket.

But nothing I attempt
Will delete the tacky glaze
Years of spills have settled
On the cracked enamel.