I. Elevator

I have learned
pushing the button just once
is not enough:
I must press and press the whole trip up
or it will ignore and pass my floor.

II. Vending machine

Never not a fretful second:
I slide in my few coins and wonder:
will my food get caught
on a higher peg
before it falls the long drop to me?
I hold my breath each time.

III. Radiator

They turn on the groaning
taps in December
leave them on till April
and only turn them off after
four eighty-degree days in a row
no exceptions
I suppose the state knows best
how I feel
and what should be done about it.