Patricia Silantoi – 1st Place Winner
Lift the Lid is proud to announce the First Place winner of the 2nd Annual Poetry Competition at Namelok Junior Academy in Kisamis, Kenya. Patricia Silantoi was chosen from eight finalists for her poem “Drought.” She writes, “Sun rises at five o’clock. Sun sets at seven. There’s no morning, there’s no evening, but one extended fiery noon.”
Millions of Kenyans are affected by drought: crops fail, livestock perish, and wells run dry. Patricia, twelve years old and in Class Six at Namelok, uses poetry as an emotional outlet, sharing her worries and her fears with the world. She could keep those emotions inside of her, ugly and painful, instead she uses them to create something beautiful and powerful, so people might be informed and offer help.
Patricia not only works hard in her classes, but she walks six kilometers to and from school each day. It is a great honor for Lift the Lid to read and publish her writing. Congratulations on your poem, Patricia, and on being awarded First Place!
Patricia, I am so impressed by your poem, “Drought.” You might discover that writing about hardship lessens the pain and creates understanding. Every time I read your poem (and I’ve read it at least 7 times already,) I find your words to be more powerful. You clearly have a natural talent for writing. I hope you keep it up. I look forward to reading more of your work!
Sara