What Helps You Keep Growing?

what helps you keep growing?

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O CONT ENTS © 2023 PA Humanities

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PREFACE PROJECT OVERVIEW WHY HAIKU? POETS & ADVISORS MAP

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GERMANTOWN WEST PHILADELPHIA NORTH PHILADELPHIA KENSINGTON SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

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EVALUATION THANK YOU

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putting the humanities into action

Dear Reader, In your hands is the poetic brilliance of Philadelphia’s youth, created during our 2023 Rain Poetry project in Philadelphia. Each haiku tells its own story, providing us little windows into the unique experiences of our city’s children. Their carefully selected words are a joy to read and give me hope for the next generation.

Rain Poetry is the embodiment of PA Humanities’ tagline: “we put the humanities into action.” This project, from the hands-on workshops to the neighborhood installations and celebrations, is at the confluence of all the streams of our people-centered work: youth development, culture, creativity, and community building. It shows the power of the humanities to bring everyday people together and do something that’s meaningful and fosters belonging and strengthens connection to place.

As you flip through these pages, it is my hope you’ll be inspired to bring similarly creative and engaging intergenerational projects to your own community.

A heartfelt thank-you to the William Penn Foundation for their lead support making this dream a reality and providing an opportunity for young poets to turn their daily lives into living works of public art.

Dawn Frisby Byers Senior Director of Content and Engagement, PA Humanities

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project overview

Neighborhoods

250 germantown

north philly west kensington Kids philly south philly

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Workshops

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Installations

Partner Orgs

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The installations and unveiling celebration events took place at Vernon Park, Carroll Park, Lillian Marrero Library, Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy, and Marion Anderson Academy. Community members were invited to celebrate the wisdom and creativity of their youth, while audience members of all ages took time to reflect on what they want to grow for themselves and their neighborhood.

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As part of its 50th Anniversary, PA Humanities partnered with former and current Youth Poets Laureate and local teaching artists to engage children from five Philadelphia neighborhoods in 15 hands-on literacy building haiku poetry workshops. In May 2023, we kicked off with the first of 5 public rain-activated installations featuring students’ haiku. The children shared their reflections on the prompts “What helps you keep growing?” and “What are things that grow?”

Host Sites

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Collaborating Poets

partner organizations

Vernon Park

germantown

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Tiny WPA Mighty Writers Free Library of Philadelphia Office of Parks and Recreation ArtWell Sunrise of Philadelphia

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Lillian Marero Library

north philly kensington

Carroll Park

west philly

Al Aqsa Academy

Mighty Writers 76

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Marion Anderson Academy

south philly

workshop host sites Mighty Writers North Philly Lillian Marrero Library Samuel Powel Elementary School Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy Marion Anderson Neighborhood Academy Mighty Writers West Philly Emlen Elementary School

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WHY

By Yolanda Wisher The Rain Poetry project foregrounds the voices of Philadelphia’s young people. As an educator and a poet, this is the work that means the most to me. Through this project, I had an opportunity to share my love and craft of teaching poetry with young adult poets (former and current Philadelphia Youth Poets Laureate), and they, as well as other local teaching artists-poets, shared this knowledge with young children in Philly schools. The tradition of poetry for the people, which I learned from poets like June Jordan and Sonia Sanchez, lives on!

When I was Philadelphia Poet Laureate from 2016 to 2017, people would always ask me, what does a poet laureate do?

A poet laureate is an ambassador for a county, city, state or country. They often write and read poems for special events.

But more importantly, I believe, a poet laureate is someone who inspires others to find the poet within themselves. This project tapped into the poets within Philadelphia schoolchildren by first tapping into the inspiring genius of Sonia Sanchez, our city’s first poet laureate and a celebrated haiku master. In “haikuography,” the preface of her collection Morning Haiku, she writes “This haiku, this tough form disguised in beauty and insight, is like the blues, for they both offer no solutions, only a pronouncement, a formal declaration—an acceptance of pain, 4

pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

humor, beauty and non-beauty, death and rebirth, surprise and life. Always life.”

Haiku is one of the most ancient forms of poetry. It can be both a solo and collaborative endeavor. In its traditional tiny container of three lines, it can hold an incredible amount of sensory and emotional information as well as mystery. We chose haiku as the poetic approach for this project because of its compactness and portability, its effervescence and endurance.

Originating in Japan, it is a poetic form embraced by poets of all backgrounds.

Etheridge Knight, who wrote powerful haiku about his experience in prison, believed that “writing haiku is a good exercise.” Lewis Grandison Alexander, a haiku writer of the Harlem Renaissance era, thought that haiku’s “real value is not in its physical directness but in its psychological indirectness—not in what is said but what is suggested—written in the spaces between the lines.” The Beat poet Jack Keroauc warned that haiku should be “free of all poetic trickery.” And Ursula Rucker, another of Philly’s beloved poets and an avid haiku writer, counsels, “You gotta breathe in through your nose…and the haiku is the breath out.”

In her poem “This is Not a Small Voice,” Sanchez writes that the voices of young

people–“LaTanya./Kadesha. Shaniqua…

Antoine./Darryl. Shaquille”–are not minor, nor are they insignificant. Rather, they are “running over waters/navigating the hallways of our schools spilling out/on the corners of our cities…” They are a force to be reckoned

with! Through the Rain Poetry project, the creative visions of young people–despite the violence, despair, and struggle they often face–have flooded our city with the wonder for life that haiku holds.

poets & advisors Dr. Cathleen Cohen, Early Literacy Specialist “It was so inspiring to work with the team of poets and teaching artists on this great project. It’s a way to learn about poetry’s power and to share the talents of so many children in our city.”

LindoYes, Poetry Teaching Artist “Imagination has no budget and these young folx created with both that,

Enoch the Poet, Poetry Teaching Artist “I had the blessing of being an educator in the Rain Poetry program at Samuel Powell Elementary and not only did I thoroughly enjoy the insight and creativity of the 4th grade students I taught, I think the idea of taking their poems and creating an art installation in local spaces around Philadelphia is a genius idea that both empowers the students and helps them understand that Philadelphia belongs to them too, it’s an area they can impact change too and it’s also somewhere they can take up space the same way adults do.

It’s beautiful in theory and practice.”

ambition, and desire.”

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Husnaa Hashim, Former Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate “The experience of studying haiku poetry in preparation for crafting a workshop curriculum was deeply moving. I am inspired by the concept and symbolism of rain-activated poetry—its ability to teach us to slow down and look for meaning as we navigate our lives, and that rain is a gift waiting to unfold before our path. I am thankful to be able to witness the poems that the students created.”

Mia Conception, Former Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Curriculum Contributor “Collaborating with PA Humanities to work on the Rain Poetry public art installations was an incredible experience. Through this project, I was grateful and honored to contribute to the planning and development of the

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adaptable haiku poetry writing workshop to engage students around the central theme of “What makes you grow?” Seeing the public installations of the student poetry on the rain-activated sidewalk stencils at community celebrations throughout Philadelphia neighborhood parks was an impactful display of the power of youth engagement with poetry, and the value of community arts projects.”

Yolanda Wisher, Poet Mentor and Curriculum Development Consultant “I loved working with emerging and established local poets to co-create curricula that inspired children across the city to write poetry in the form of haiku. It has been magical to witness how their poems have breathed life into public spaces in Philadelphia.”

Trapeta B. Mayson, Project Advisor, Founder of Wingo-WHAT? Rain Art Project “Poems by themselves appeal to our senses and emotions on so many levels. Rain activated poems are little surprises that delight us when we stumble upon them. The fact that they are sprinkled throughout various communities, and are made by community members is even more inspiring. I’m happy that a project that I’ve long loved and also helped create in my own work is now blooming all over our city.”

David Jones, Former Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Workshop Facilitator “The Rain Poetry Project has allowed me to bring what can feel like a forgotten medium to the next generation.

I’ve seen students both struggle and delight in what they have written. If they didn’t know before these workshops, they now know that their words have value.”

Khaliah D. Pitts Poetry Teaching Artist “It was such a joy to explore poetry with the youth! I loved how when it was hard to grasp the concept and structure of Japanese haikus, we explored what the art of haiku looked like through the lens of English, specifically the English language of young Philadelphians. When we allowed ourselves to really play and follow the rhythm and story of a poem, even the youngest minds were able to craft truly beautiful poetic worlds.”

Anshika Lal and Alex Gilliam, Tiny WPA “Working with PA Humanities on Rain Poetry enabled our high school age Building Heroes to develop new 21st century fabrication skills that resulted in magic filled installations and new connections with so many different communities throughout Philadelphia. It’s impossible to forget the overwhelming expressions of joy and pride that kids, community members, our Building Heroes, and staff showed every time a hidden poem they created or installed was revealed by water.”

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Germantown Workshop

GERMANTOWN Germantown Installation

North Philadelphia Workshop

West Philadelphia Installation

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West Philadelphia Workshop

WEST PHILLY

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West Philadelphia Workshop

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South Philadelphia Workshop + Installation

LEGEND n Workshop n Installation

NORTH PHILLY North Philadelphia Workshop + Installation

KENSINGTON Kensington Workshop + Installation

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Emlen Elementary School

My dad taught me how to throw a football Now I play with friends When you think you are using your brain and when you think your brain grows. And as your brain grows so do you!

Takari J-E, 5th Grade

I fight for my family My cousins help me, help my Family and me Caleb K, 5th Grade

I used to be weak I can do 14 push-ups I can stay humble Tristan Xavier H, 5th Grade

Nature is so great Makes me want to eat outside Just the worms and me Kay G, 5th Grade

My hair helps me grow Oil helps my hair to grow strong I like how it looks Amari K, 5th Grade

My health grows in ways The Flash can generate electricity Faster than light speed My family grows because my little cousin is about to be two years old.

Zakir M, 5th Grade

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Dogs grow when they eat And when they play in the park With their families Joseph K, 5th Grade

My hair grows Like my brother beside me, he grows and grows Kailei Marie P, 5th Grade

Your strength can grow strong Exercising like biking Try it out today Adam R, 5th Grade

I can grow by Grow mentally by working To get healthier Sahara B, 5th Grade

My hair grows all day When I wash it good its clean My knowledge can grow Tyrone D, 4th Grade 12

pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

My shoes are by my shoes Are small. I hope I grow As big as a Narwhal Arianna P, 4th Grade

My knowledge is good My brain can grow when I learn My knowledge can grow a lot Jaivon W, 4th Grade

My math skills grow everyday

My knowledge can grow My heart grows when I be nice My hair grows with grease Aaniya W, 4th Grade

My hair grows with oil and product My mom puts stuff in my hair and it Baby don’t go bald!

My hair grows with conditioner!

Samiyah B, 4th Grade

Jayden B, 4th Grade

My hair can grow My knowledge can grow by reading My body can grow Mckenzie H, 4th Grade

1. My hair can grow 2. My art can grow 3. My body can grow 4. My love can grow 5. My baby brother can grow 6. Age can grow Corin J, 4th Grade

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If I can grow so can you to every Thing can grow you can grow Your knowledge your legs can Grow your arms. You get Older My body can grow My family grows a lot My feet can grow Nate C, 4th Grade

Jasim L, 4th Grade

You grow as you age You gain knowledge as you pass school Your family grows with you Jacob W, 4th Grade

My family grows My hair can grow very long My knowledge can grow Kieanna K, 4th Grade

My knowledge can grow My family can grow big I can grow taller Terrell P, 4th Grade

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My IQ can grow My body can grow My knowledge can grow Taylor J, 4th Grade

Plants grow by their roots growing in the soil and their roots grow with water sunlight. There are even eat some plants grow tall and some plants into bushes.

Ke’Mya R, 5th Grade

Your age grows how? It can grow by height, your birthday, mature level.

Your hair grows by washing your hair and cutting your ends. Using hair products use hair oil. Plants grow by adding water.

Tip: Plant seeds need sunlight also when it rains they grow faster.

Your grades can go from a B to an A. Your test grades grow from 70% to an 100% Tip: If you mess up try again. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s okay, you’re not in trouble. And that’s how stuff grow.

My lungs grow with breath My brain grows with much knowledge My heart grows with love Ivory H, 4th Grade

Plants can grow People can grow Knowledge can grow Seantah J, 4th Grade

Kylah C, 5th Grade

When you take a test At school you want a good score Patience gives a good score Coraline O-E., 5th Grade

A+

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Babies grow from sleep Babies grow into people Babies grow from strength Maliyah R, 5th Grade

My hand can grow big My knowledge can grow because I read A dog can grow big Xavier W, 4th Grade

1. My hair can grow 2. My shoes can grow 3. My family can grow 4. My clothes can grow 5. My brain can grow 6. My body can grow from eating healthy and working out 7.

You can work on a house and the house can grow Zaki H, 4th Grade

You and nails grow Your knowledge and brain can grow Your body can grow My knowledge grows I study and work hand on My math homework Sean W, 4th Grade

My kindness grows when I am kind to someone Being kind is awesome Earth grows plants And food and living Things like people Animals Journey S, 4th Grade

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CARROLL PARK Bl o ing blo om

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sky

Mighty Writers West Philly

Fairies fly through the sky.

Landing on their feet as they go.

From fire to water to wind to earth, Fairies continue to fly though the high sky Jada

I like to play in the sun While in out in while I’m out having fun Hamzah D

The water flows through The air as the wind blows through Her hair she says yay Amir D

As the wind blows soft, The sun shines brightly and Sunflowers grow fast.

London N

Dog chasing people Dog is barking at people Dog catching a ball Alameen W

I like Kobe he…

Is the goat and his daughter She is a goat too Rashon

I shot the ball good It was so perfect and low MJ is the best Zindad

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I love my mom I love my sister and dog And I love my TV Ina, 4th Grade

I hit? A dog it Almost got runover?

And now thats my dog Named Bruno Keyujah, 4th Grade

As the clouds One and one move From place to place It gives me the Best feeling ever Haidyn, 4th Grade

I am a long fish I love a lot of swimming With my long blonde tail Layla B, 4th Grade

Pretty butterfly Help me save the world Thanks for helping me Maiajall M, 4th Grade

Samuel Powel Elementary School Sports cars are fun driving Sports cars are very fast and Stylish and nice and fancy Araff O, 4th Grade

Hero hero in the sky Hero hero flying up so high Willan steal in gold from bank Apollo P, 4th Grade

The rain is what I love There is no pain when I see the rain The clouds are puffs in the air Arielle L, 4th Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Dance is movement a story Express your life with it Flowing to the music Autumn M, 4th Grade

Peaceful, quiet, and Busy, big, buildings. Cheer People on for dreams John W, 4th Grade

I like art, its cool You can express your feelings People make are for people Kierston M, 4th Grade

Where I want to live Is a hobbit hut in a Deep dark forest James T, 4th Grade

No place for shooting Peaceful no littering Clean outside and caring Mason B, 4th Grade

I want more green on Earth because there is more Water than land Kadir H, 4th Grade

Strawberries growing Next to the swing while sunshine Is gleaming at me as I sit at the horizon Lila W, 4th Grade

Blooming blossoms Blue birds are chirping The blue sky Shamaela N, 4th Grade

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A sunset shing, Bright and fascinating colors Shining in my eyes Nature, home all mixed Up. Giant treehouses too.

Animals and life Human beings with All peace and no war. No hate But only kindness The waters of the Endless lake, meat, and berries Of the wild forest.

Calvin F, 4th Grade

To search outer space have cool tech And the planet clean and people Recycle and peaceful Jacques H, 4th Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Tiny, cozy house Chimney burning coal and steam Plants all around me Ocean around me Beautiful flying seagulls On top of the sun Trees behind my home The sea is bright as me too Just like the ocean breeze Kauthar A, 4th Grade

Strawberries growing Next to the swing while sunshine Is gleaming at me as I sit at the horizon Lila W, 4th Grade

No place for shooting Peaceful no littering Clean outside and caring Mason B, 4th Grade

Blooming blossoms Blue birds are chirping The blue sky Shamaela N, 4th Grade

Do you know that she’s been through a lot Do you know she gets bullied every time she’s in someone’s sight Do you really know her Do you know that she’s misunderstood Myangel L, 4th Grade 23

The beach is nice and Quiet, the sun shines Just like a star Zahiyah P, 4th Grade

Want to grow up into a actor A person that helps sick people that are alive or That are about to die Zhaniyah P, 4th Grade

Big blue ocean. Learn To swim. Just start breathing life Wet water, so wet.

Sage S, 4th Grade

I want my world to be clean I don’t see nothing on the floor. I want homeless to have home, money Nice and sweet Clean world Ever the desire to be free I hope people that are sick get better soon Saniyah A, 4th Grade

My hair is growing longer I use gel in my black hair Today I used gel Layla Rose H, 3rd Grade

My family grows My brain grows because I learn.

I know I am smart

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Annaba I, 3rd Grade

My dog is different.

My dog eats steak on a plate.

Dog like anime…

Sebastian R, 3rd Grade

My fat cat is stupid My brother is annoying My dog is crazy The nice blooming flowers.

A nice fancy garden having a party all day.

Potatoes, humans, monkeys — all is growing.

Langston B, 3rd Grade

I woke up and brush my teeth And I eat breakfast at 8PM Then I change my clothes I saw a flower grow and a person grow People grow by age or height.

An animal grows by age or size.

Karim S, 3rd Grade

Oh little child grow Blue skies, white clouds, go and grow A child, moon, skies, nice Malaiya B, 3rd Grade

Cicadas are great They make a loud chirp on trees They come each four years Elias H, 3rd Grade

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I woke up and brush my teeth And I eat breakfast at 8PM Then I change my clothes I like my dad’s dog.

I do not like my sister’s dog.

Dogs are my favorite animal Blake B, 3rd Grade

I have grown in art I have grown in my confidence I have grown in Love Xena Payne W, 3rd Grade

My rose grow with love It blooms magically Gives beauty to all Melanie L, 3rd Grade

My tree grows so much It gives applies to the earth And joy to my cat Wilson D, 3rd Grade

You can help your mind.

Like meeting a new person Or like hugging my mom Bella S, 3rd Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

I saw a flower grow and a person grow People grow by age or height.

An animal grows by age or size Karim S, 3rd Grade

I can be anything Like a fire growing everyday I am the center earth Jack N, 3rd Grade

My BFF grows and me!

I love my mom and my dad I love BFF Fandmal Sumayah G, 3rd Grade

I know my brain grows.

I saw my neighborhood grow I know trees grow Malena J, 3rd Grade

My caterpillar was 1 He grew to be a butterfly And flew to Mexico Andre G, 3rd Grade

My brain grows up fast.

I am not the last to grow.

So I know most things.

Desmond T, 3rd Grade

I am growing so fast I am taller than my friends I’m like a tree Zoelle S, 3rd Grade

I saw a tree grow My hair grows long I want it to grow longer Xylee U, 3rd Grade

The plants grow like me.

I grow like grapevines on fences.

I grow like plants.

Eli S-B, 3rd Grade

My mom’s plants grow taller.

My silkworms grew taller.

My caterpillars grew taller.

Tanzir A, 3rd Grade

My mom is so big.

School is super duper fun School is so the best Nasir P, 3rd Grade

My toy dinosaur grows if she is in water.

I saw her grow nice Dana A, 3rd Grade

I have grown so much Like a colorful rainbow I grow awesomely I love growth so much Skye F, 3rd Grade

Seedlings grow to plants.

Plants grow to beautiful flowers, Flowers get fed by the rain.

Kennedy S, 3rd Grade 27

Peacefully loved all around Trees gold like a crown Bloom in the sky like a flower Bonaburke, 4th Grade

PEACE

I love my mom and because she cooks the best food.

She lets me go outside.

Terrence, 4th Grade

Let us do what we do when the sky is blue the girls have chalk and you do too, join us in the fun too.

Paige H, 4th Grade

Love in love, let’s love we go play, run in run let’s have fun all day.

Zuri, 4th Grade

Love is you to me spreading truth, the air true to be kind like a bee.

Jaye F, 4th Grade

Loving love is important accepting you is important but hard work is all you can do.

Jerome W, 4th Grade 28

pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

There is peace in the world, I want to live in a place with peace, I love the world.

Amira Y, 4th Grade

Love equals flowers day to day, morning showers, rainbow, no shame bro.

Madison Ray S, 4th Grade

Worlds have lots of hope worlds have lots of music too but we all have no clue.

Paz R, 4th Grade

School, school, it’s fun to learn and it’s happy to learn at school.

Allison K, 4th Grade

White bunnies hopping on grass, flowers blooming in the spring, happy happy on my mind.

Amber W, 4th Grade

The wind racing across my face, my shadow following me at the same pace.

Khaliq, 4th Grade

The outside view The nice sky blue The wind blows so Cold theres nothing I can do the Leaves whisk around And I spin around I spin around, I touch The ground with a Nice soft touch Of the concrete sound.

Kyrissa S, 4th Grade

Games, games, games, roblox is a fun game, Vrv tag.

Saadnan, 4th Grade

Sky, sky, bright as light.

Sun, sun, bright as a star.

Tree, tree, I feel like a falling leaf.

Londyn C, 4th Grade

Beauty, beauty on my face like a flower in a vase I am me.

Makari B, 4th Grade

The world should have no fighting, no robberies, and no bullying. Only being kind.

Aleem, 4th Grade

Rainbows are bright and colorful. They have six colors.

They make me feel happy.

Nevean, 4th Grade

Bees and flowers better environment no more rustling.

Davsen K, 4th Grade

Spring is a love of flowers.

The great smell of April showers.

Spring is one of a kind.

Addison W, 4th Grade 29

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Lillian Marrero Library The sun is so warm The bunny wears new clothing To play in the sunlight My light helps the world So people can live. The sun Helps people to live Bella

Food and water. Sleep Lots of sleep. Nature and peace And me, of course.

Charlie

Poems from teens who helped and participated:

Cayli

Swell golden desire I see you in front of me Far but near in heart From the day I, lily, Was sworn into this great pond I knew you’d grow A lovely little lily Overlooking and protecting Precious life like you Soni G

All my family Full of guidance and passion Fueled by love and care Beginning: A bud Middle: A small stem End: Beautiful bloom Anijah M

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Mighty Writers North Philly Beauty is me, pretty and clean Sexy and strong make me want to Break my damn bones Period ahh, period ahh Monae

All so different but I see them all the same Basketball makes Yasir live We both bleed but we don’t bleed the same Yasir

My mom helps me grow My mom is nice and can cook My mom takes care everything Zymeer

Learning helps your brain But no learning doesn’t help your Brain Ian

The flowers bloom around The keep me growing strong bloom Gracefully I’ll grow Faith

The love I feel everyday The food the sleep the people My love I feel Elijah B

When my pen touches paper, I feel like a floating cloud.

When I’m lost in my thoughts…

Mya S

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Al-Asqa Islamic Academy My dad taught me as A boy to throw footballs Now it’s all I like

Growth is a cool thing To people to the Albanian Republic To war in the 90’s to the flag Zaid B, 5th Grade

Mousa L, 5th Grade

Flowers are beautiful They give us oxygen, but Sadly get destroyed

Cargos are really cool They can carry a lot of stuff Like cars and shipping boxes Nouman R, 5th Grade

Zechariah K, 5th Grade

My hair grows very quick That means I’m unique and cool So that makes me rare

I wanna go to Tokyo I’m finna eat some ramen I aint wanna flex, I ain’t wanna show Sheikh R, 5th Grade

Unknown, 5th Grade

My brother is tiny My sister is very tall I’m in the middle

I like to plant plants I want to see a planet grow So I can plant it here Jaleel S, 5th Grade

Rajee M, 5th Grade

When babies can chew Chicken, they can eat a lot But not everything Unknown, 5th Grade

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I like to grow flowers Because I love when I water them And I only love one type of flower. It is a daisy.

Mekhi K, 5th Grade

My hair grows until It gets damaged Then grows again Muhammed, 5th Grade

First is little then Grows roots below and around Shoots up into the sky to its food Asida U. A, 5th Grade

Plants have no owners But they don’t complain about the freedom Plants help people Food makes a great mood Food has an advantage of money Food saves hunger all around the world Yamama AK, 5th Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Without oxygen you Can’t survive so you Need oxygen Siwar M, 5th Grade

Plants starts as a seed You will have to water them Until they grow well

Stickers are fun And cute, with so many designs They are made to decorate Hala, 5th Grade

Games are very cool They grow in popularity And they are very fun Yousef M, 4th Grade

Sameer C, 5th Grade

Bunnies are so funny with A Lot of money honey yeah They will be rich until Asalah A, 5th Grade

My family had grown The world has extended I’m better than when I was alone My family like bone they come and they go Their always loved my love has never ended Safiyyah L, 4th Grade

Summer is coming back The hotness will be coming back Flowers will be back Maisara HK, 5th Grade

Lily start as seeds They look like a flamingo They have other colors too!

Zaynab W, 5th Grade

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The TV very cool and he so fun And play football And the football fun Mohammed A, 4th Grade

My cat has sharp teeth She is amazing I love her She is so furry I can’t wait to see her Rayann, 4th Grade

Trees grow really tall They can grow food on them too And grow oh options

Plants before they grow they are seeds They grow a little from their feets They grow they grow til they’re big So then you see them tall and big

People can be young.

And can be really tall too.

We have challenges.

Khulod A, 4th Grade

Tigers are hunters Tigers are soft Tigers gather until They finish their feast Jenna S, 4th Grade

Flowers grow so tall It is fine they are the ball Of course they are the hype Ahdiya L, 4th Grade 38

pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

Rizwan R, 4th Grade

The Great tree of Hope Grows on Opportunity Stops on Challenges Good grows around us Spreads with hope and charity Shines with happiness Peace is a blossom Flows like a shiny river And brings happiness Yunus B, 4th Grade

Flowers have seeds to grow They are so beautiful They look so cool Jewell’ia D, 4th Grade

Doors is a gems.

Seek He can eat.

Aliw S, 2nd Grade

I want a kitten Fatema K, 2nd Grade

Sonic 2 is the best Arish A, 2nd Grade

Apoll Bnano Huggy Wuggy Rabwrans Yaseen H, 2nd Grade

Whales are able to drink They can eat fish in the sea They don’t eat ice cream Yazan A, 2nd Grade

You meet someone You hangout together Become friends Ali A, 2nd Grade

Naruto has claws Sasuke has a big brother Naruto is mad Munir BN, 2nd Grade

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Hello my name is Ameen And I like pizza because it cheese And I like pepperoni “How to Make Pizza” First you get the dough Then you add the cheese or some ingredients And cook it in oven Ameen A, 2nd Grade

Plants Flowers Friends Eating Love Water Farida A, 2nd Grade

When I grow up I Want to be a designer And make overgarment Aisha M, 2nd Grade

I grow a lot My height grows each day wit me When I grow up, I’ll be tall Ismail A, 5th Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

I moved in a house My family on my dad’s side lived there I’m happy Jenhah G, 2nd Grade

Ramadan grows for us muslims I grow with my friends All of Islam grows us, muslims are friends Sama Eid Babies have no eyes They see nothing They are blind Seewar E, 2nd Grade

Plants grow in soil You have to water plants Then turn to big trees Sunni T, 2nd Grade

My favorite cat, her name is Lele Haya R, 2nd Grade

Sailor Moon, I started watching Sailor Moon when I was 4 I started watching it more when I was 5, and…

Watched it more when I was 8 like I am now Bayah A, 2nd Grade

We are all BFFs Sama, Seewar and me play together.

We will not lose each other Muslima B, 2nd Grade

Tiger grow when they older Cheetah can grow with their baby now Plant can grow with seeds Fahiwi A, 2nd Grade

Pokemon can grow Pichu can be Pikachu They can now battle Mustafa AM, 2nd Grade

I want to see my best friend And she wants to see me So we can have fun!

Israa B, 2nd Grade 41 41

MARIAN ANDERSON NEIGHBORHOOD ACADEMY

Gro win g

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is liv ing

G ro wing is b

pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

life s a ful i t eau

ng is caring owi r G

Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Trees can grow Plants can too Start small then Get bigger than I don’t know the world

Growing is living Growing is beautiful as life Growing is caring.

Marigold, 2nd Grade

Luca, 3rd Grade

My cat can grow quick My cat is older than me My cat can climb a tree

I can hear a wolf I see beautiful wolf I love wolves a lot

Maggie, 2nd Grade

Jocelyn, 2nd Grade

People can grow up Joe can grow his cat and dog I can grow myself

My fish grows fast He is very old He died last month

Sydney, 2nd Grade

Ian, 3rd Grade

A seed to a tree, a seed grows into a tree, A tree stays plant here.

People grow a lot Growing my beautiful seed The plant is growing Jocelyn, 3rd Grade

gr

Owen, 2nd Grade

tc my c a

ow

ick qu

an

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My cat can grow quick.

My cat is older than me.

My cat’s name is chuck.

Rosie, 2nd Grade

Everything grows Every day we grow plants and water them Everything grows in life Hutch, 2nd Grade

Growing is complex I am a human growing Plans definitely grow Theo, 2nd Grade

Joe can grow himself.

Joe can grow a plant with a hoe.

Joe can grow his cat.

Anonymous

My hair is growing.

I am a growing human My body is growing Grant, 2nd Grade

My hair is growing I am a human growing My cat is growing Colton, 2nd Grade

My name is Miles I am a growing human My cat is growing Miles, 3rd Grade

My name is Stella.

I am a growing human.

I love kitty cats.

Stella, 3rd Grade

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

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rain poetry

independent evaluation

By Beth Uzwiak, PhD, professional researcher My evaluation of Rain Poetry in Philadelphia centered a participatory learning process to consider the impact of the pilot project within equity-centered humanities values and practices. Data was gathered to inform, guide, and fine-tune the activation of future Rain Poetry projects in other towns and cities in Pennsylvania. Measurement priorities and indicators were developed collaboratively and focused on capturing student experiences, namely literacy, social-emotional, creative, and educational outcomes.

Here’s what I found: Literacy and Socio-Emotional Skills: Rain Poetry was successful in teaching youth to write haikus and learn about its form and history. They practiced literacy and socio-emotional skills such as creative self-expression, sharing with peers, and storytelling.

Community building: Students participated in the wider goal of the project which was to activate the humanities in public space by inviting project partners, families, students, and community members to celebrate youth poetry. Students were celebrated as they saw their poems move from their imagination into public space.

Uplifting culture and education: Rain Poetry was successful in honoring student writing while uplifting schools, literacy sites and cultural workers, including local poets. At each event, youth poet laureates and other teaching artists shared their work, bringing the medium of poetry to life and showcasing it as a relevant art form.

Professional development: Teaching artists honed their facilitation skills and some learned to write curriculum for young students.

In conclusion, the collaborative learning process at the heart of this project encouraged ongoing reflection and realignment to the public humanities values that drive all the work of PA Humanities. For this reason, Rain Poetry is well-poised for replication. The experiences of students, teaching artists, and project partners together provide a blueprint to consider how this pilot project can enhance its reach and strengthen its focus on equity as Rain Poetry takes shape in other sites across the state.

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

brave

fun

fun good calm good happy excited honest

amazing comfy/poetic generous hard working

good! peacefulproud nothing

I felt ok and I learned a lot

very excellent good loving happy calm and happy makes me talk about relax good

awesome happy

loving inspired

exciting happy

good great

good

fun

ha

p h py

appy

fu n g fu itin n goo reat exc dg un

f

h ap y n

ppy

* Word cloud generated from student reflections on their Rain Poetry experience.

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thank you William Penn Foundation, Tiny WPA team, ArtWell, Sunrise of Philadelphia, Mighty Writers, Samuel Powel School, Lillian Marrero Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia, Beth Uzwiak, Friends of Carrol Park, Friends of Vernon Park, Philadelphia Office of Parks and Rec, Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy, Marion Anderson Neighborhood Academy, Yolanda Wisher, Dr. Cathleen Cohen, Trapeta B Mayson, Telicia Darius, Cydney Brown, Mia Concepcion, Husnaa Hashim, David Jones, Enoch the Poet, LindoYes, Khaliah D. Pitts Thank you for all your support bringing this incredible creative vision to reality.

g n i still grow We are excited to expand this project to more regions of Pennsylvania as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration and we are happy to share lessons learned from this pilot and be a resource to others who want to create this magical and educational experience in their own community. Contact us at hello@pahumanities.org for more information.

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pa humanities n haiku from the rain poetry project

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230 South Broad Street, Suite 403 Philadelphia, Pa 19102

pahumanities.org