The rain is gently
clapping at the rocks
outside my kitchen.
Its music
waters
my desert.
A new song forms,
the sound of raindrops
washing my face.
The rain is steadily
Taking me home
By twilight.
I am learning
from the weeping clouds
that falling isn’t dying.
ABOUT THIS POEM: Third Winner of the Fourth BN Poetry Award, 2012
This poem, Falling, was written by Betty Kituyi and emerged third in the fourth BN Poetry Award. The judges agreed that it was strong, beautiful, transporting readers to a new place. Betty Kituyi wins 200 USD, a fully paid trip to the Literary Storymoja Hay Festival in Nairobi in September 2012, an autographed copy of Half of a Yellow Sun, by award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie and an autographed copy of Eliyeena’s Sorbonne-a novel infused with poetry, by Hannah Saint C.A Nanyanzi. The award was proudly sponsored by Stichting Doen.