there is a splinter in the pad of my thumb.
I don’t know how or when it happened, 
but do know where.

our house has no floors thanks to the hurricanes. 
the bottom is concrete;
it collects dust faster than we can sweep.
the top is subfloor;
we have to wear shoes inside to prevent splinters.

my little sister forgot.
one got stuck in her foot before school.
she was only getting out of bed, 
like everyone does.
she didn’t cry, 
but I knew it hurt.

there are boxes where my room once was.
I spent my winter break going through them.
my mom asked me to wrap my trophies first, 
so I did. 
there was no room left for my stuffed animals. 

sometimes at night,
I hear the foundation crack.
it keeps me up.
I have to find a way to fix it before I leave.
I can’t let them fall. 
my sister got a splinter already
when she should’ve had none at all.