COLORS OF MY CITY Colores de mi ciudad
Haiku from the Rain Poetry Project in Reading
PUTTING THE Poniendo las HUMANITIES humanidades INTO ACTION en acción
Dear Reader,
We are so excited that Rain Poetry came to Reading in 2025!
In your hands is the poetic brilliance of Reading’s youth. Each haiku tells its own story, providing insights around a common theme, The Colors of My City. Young people shared their experiences, hopes, and dreams about their world. Their 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, 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 Wyomissing Foundation, and the PA Department of Economic Development, and the Reading Public Library for their support making this project possible 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
ABOUT PA HUMANITIES
At PA Humanities, we put people first.
Our mission is to champion the humanities as a means to spark civic engagement, build community, educate, inspire, and make lasting change. Our work puts people first, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, connection, and learning that leads to action.
We are a voice for PA’s cultural sector; building networks, conducting research, and sharing resources statewide.
What do we mean by the humanities?
We believe that storytelling, historical perspectives, personal interpretation, creativity, and deliberative conversations are the tools that the humanities provide everyday people. Equipped with these resources, communities can document their own culture and move forward in shaping their future together. The results are transformative insights into ourselves and our world, inspiring us to work together for a more equitable society.
We imagine a future where all Pennsylvanians have access without barriers to the humanities and the tools to lead change in their communities.
Opposite page:
Top: Berks County Poet Laureate and Rain Poetry teaching artist Apito at the Reading Public Library reveal celebration. Middle: students read their poems at a reveal celebration.
Bottom: the Rain Poetry display includes vinyl decals on the sidewalks.
Photos by Susan Angstadt.
About PA Humanities
At PA Humanities, we put people first.
Our mission is to champion the humanities as a means to spark civic engagement, build community, educate, inspire, and make lasting change. Our work puts people first, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, connection, and learning that leads to action.
We are a voice for PA’s cultural sector; building networks, conducting research, and sharing resources statewide.
What do we mean by the humanities?
We believe that storytelling, historical perspectives, personal interpretation, creativity, and deliberative conversations are the tools that the humanities provide everyday people. Equipped with these resources, communities can document their own culture and move forward in shaping their future together. The results are transformative insights into ourselves and our world, inspiring us to work together for a more equitable society.
We imagine a future where all Pennsylvanians have access without barriers to the humanities and the tools to lead change in their communities.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Rain Poetry launched in 2023 in Philadelphia as part of PA Humanities’ 50th anniversary celebration.
We teamed up with former Poets Laureate, teaching artists, and education specialists to create a program that blended literacy, creative self-expression, and community connection through the art of haiku. Elementary students across the city learned about this ancient poetic form directly from practicing poets, who helped them craft haiku of their own. Those poems were then installed on sidewalks throughout the city, offering families, neighbors, and passersby a chance to encounter the wisdom and creativity of young voices in unexpected places.
In 2024, we expanded Rain Poetry to Pittsburgh and Johnstown, working with libraries and afterschool programs and opening the program to middle and high school students as well.
This year, Reading became the fourth Pennsylvania city to host Rain Poetry.
We partnered with the Reading Public Library to offer workshops for young patrons at both the Main and Northeast branches, as well as seventh graders at St. Peter School and fourth graders at Lauer’s Park Elementary. The workshops were co-led by Berks County Poet Laureate Adrian Perez-Roman — also known as Apito — and Reading Public Library Youth Services Specialist Caitlin Johnson, who guided students in exploring the theme “The Colors of My City.”
In recognition of Reading’s strong Spanish-speaking community, we incorporated a bilingual element to the workshops for the first time. Lessons were presented in Spanish and English, and students were encouraged to write in whichever language they preferred.
Select poems from the workshops were installed along the sidewalks at the two library branches and Lauer’s Park Elementary. Some of the poems were stenciled using a special invisible spray that reveals the words like magic whenever it rains.
After the installations were complete, we hosted reveal celebrations that brought the community together to honor the voices of local youth. While the poems stenciled on the sidewalks will fade with time, the creativity they sparked, the conversations they inspired, and the sense of pride they created in each young poet will endure, along with the words collected in this book.
To honor the young people’s choice to write in either Spanish or English, we present their poems in this book as written.
RESUMEN DEL PROYECTO
El proyecto de Poesía de lluvia se inauguró en 2023 en Filadelfia como parte de la celebración del 50° aniversario de PA Humanities.
Colaboramos con anteriores poetas laureados, artistas docentes y especialistas de la educación para crear un programa que combinaba la alfabetización, la expresión creativa y la conexión comunitaria a través del arte del haiku. Estudiantes de primaria de toda la ciudad aprendieron sobre esta antigua forma poética de la mano de poetas practicantes, quienes les ayudaron a elaborar sus propios haiku. Luego estos poemas se instalaron en las aceras de la ciudad, ofreciendo a familias, vecinos, y peatones la oportunidad de encontrarse con la sabiduría y creatividad de estas voces jóvenes en lugares inesperados.
En 2024 expandimos el proyecto de Poesía de lluvia hasta Pittsburgh y Johnstown, trabajando con bibliotecas y programas extraescolares y abriendo el programa a estudiantes de la escuela media y secundaria también.
Este año, Reading se convirtió en la cuarta ciudad de Pennsylvania en acoger el proyecto de Poesía de lluvia.
Trabajamos juntos con la biblioteca pública de Reading para ofrecer talleres para usuarios jóvenes en la biblioteca central y la noroeste, además de ofrecer talleres para estudiantes del séptimo grado en St. Peter’s School y del cuarto grado en Lauer’s Park Elementary. El poeta laureado del condado de Berks, Adrian Perez-Roman– también conocido como Apito–y especialista en servicios para jóvenes Caitlin Johnson dirigieron los talleres juntos, guiando a los estudiantes mientras exploraron el tema “Colores de mi Ciudad.”
En reconocimiento de la robusta comunidad hispanohablante de Reading, incorporamos un elemento bilingüe en los talleres por primera vez. Las lecciones se llevaron a cabo en inglés y español y animamos a los estudiantes a escribir en su idioma preferido.
Se instalaron poemas selectos en las aceras de las dos sedes de la biblioteca y Lauer’s Park Elementary. Se trazaron algunos de los poemas usando un spray especial e invisible que revela las palabras como si fuera magia cada vez que llueve.
Cuando se completaron las instalaciones, organizamos ceremonias de revelación de los poemas que juntaron a la comunidad para honrar las voces de la juventud de la ciudad. Aunque los poemas trazados en las aceras se desvanecerán con el tiempo, perdurará la creatividad que encendieron, las conversaciones que inspiraron y el sentimiento de orgullo que fomentaron en cada joven poeta, junto con las palabras reunidas en este libro.
Para respetar la decisión de los jóvenes de escribir en inglés o español, presentamos aquí sus poemas como fueron escritos.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKSHOP HOST SITES
Reading Public Library
Main Branch, District Center
100 S. 5th Street
Reading, PA 19602
Reading Public Library
Northeast Branch
1348 N. 11th Street
Reading, PA 19604
St. Peter School
225 S. 5th Street
Reading, PA 19602
Lauer’s Park Elementary School
251 N. 2nd Street
Reading, PA 19601
INSTALLATION SITES
Reading Public Library
Main Branch, District Center
100 S. 5th Street
Reading, PA 19602
Reading Public Library
Northeast Branch
1348 N. 11th Street
Reading, PA 19604
St. Peter School
225 S. 5th Street
Reading, PA 19602
A MESSAGE Un mensaje FROM de APITO
By Adrian Perez-Roman AKA Apito
Poetry is APITO.
Poetry is infinite and it has helped me rediscover myself, it has helped me understand my organic thoughts & feelings, it has helped me build my confidence, it has helped me find my way through my many trials & tribulations.
Poetry is powerful because poetry is us.
Poetry is our mind, body, and soul pouring out onto paper, phones, or onto mics sending waves that can break any chain. The Rain Poetry Project has allowed me to see how much kids have to say & how much more we need to listen. I hope the kids learned that poetry is fun, that poetry can help you use your voice to paint the world around them.
I’m very appreciative of the opportunity and, as always, very humbled by the good people around me.
La poesía es APITO.
La poesía es infinita y me ha ayudado a redescubrirme a mí mismo, me ha ayudado a comprender mis pensamientos y sentimientos orgánicos, me ha ayudado a desarrollar mi confianza, me ha ayudado a encontrar mi camino a través de mis muchas pruebas y tribulaciones.
La poesía es poderosa porque la poesía somos nosotros.
La poesía es nuestra mente, cuerpo y alma vertiéndose en papel, teléfonos o micrófonos enviando ondas que pueden romper cualquier cadena. El Rain Poetry Project me ha permitido ver cuánto tienen que decir los niños y cuánto más necesitamos escuchar. Espero que los niños hayan aprendido que la poesía es divertida, que la poesía puede ayudarte a usar tu voz para pintar el mundo que los rodea.
Estoy muy agradecido por la oportunidad y, como siempre, muy honrado por la buena gente que me rodea.
TEACHING ARTIST
ADRIAN PEREZ-ROMAN
is a Reading native who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Oakbrook neighborhood. As a poet and performer, he goes by the name “Apito,” a Taino word that connects him to his ancestors and means “infinite; no beginning, no end.” He was named the Berks County Poet Laureate in 2024.
A graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Sociology, Perez-Roman is also the program director of S.M.I.L.E. (Skills to Master Independent Living and Empowerment) at Opportunity House in Reading, where he brings his passion for community service and commitment to creating pathways for healing and hope to his work. He lives in Reading with his fiancée and their four children.
Boricua Apito Taino
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Melissa Adams
Executive Director, Reading Public Library
“A few years ago, when I first learned about the Rain Poetry project happening in other Pennsylvania cities, I knew that such an engaging way to teach haiku and showcase the creativity of our youth had to be replicated here in Reading. Rain Poetry is more than just teaching poetry; it literally extends the library beyond its four walls, raises up the voices of our youth, and brings an interactive literary experience to the broader community. It’s important that we not only provide educational opportunities for the youth in our community, but also to provide a space that celebrates their unique perspectives and experiences.”
Caitlin Johnson
Teaching Artist and Youth Services
Supervisor,
Reading Public Library
“It was a joy to teach participants something new that they would be able to apply to future educational/creative activities and that showed them that poetry did not have to be a threatening experience. Young people often see poetry as a turn-off, and this project gave them a taste of how fun and rewarding poetry can be while exploring their own creative potential.”
Caitlin Johnson helps a young poet at a workshop at the library.
Photo by Margo Reed.
Daniel Egusquiza
NK James Hong
Rain Poetry Reading, Designer and Installer
Makerspace coordinator, GoggleWorks, Berks Launchbox, and Penn State Berks Campus
“It’s been a pleasure participating in this Rain Poetry community event!”
PA Humanities Board Member, Outreach Coordinator at Reading Public Library and Founder of Barrio Alegr a “Poetry has been important for Reading as a way to name the colors that don’t appear on the light spectrum, and to give voice to the musical notes that are never played in any song. Here, poetry describes the indescribable and serves as a platform for resilience. Seeing Reading join other cities in Pennsylvania that have been part of the Rain Poetry project at the Reading Public Library steps was a dream that I was happy to see come true.”
Rain Poetry program curriculum development consultants and project advisors Philadelphia: Trapeta B. Mayson • Yolanda Wisher • Dr. Cathleen Cohen
Design and installation consultants: Anshika Lal and Alex Gilliam, Tiny WPA
ST. Escuela PETER San Pedro SCHOOL
Seventh Grade Class
Amanda Searfoss, Teacher
If I cannot walk
If I cannot run, I will
Fly like a butterfly
- Class Poem, “My Ambition is Massive”
After school I go home
I look at the sun setting
And it is massive
- Misael, Jotxiel C., Manuel R., Angel V., “Home”
The sky fades into gray, Lightning falls to the ground.
That’s how I feel right now.
- Alexa T., Alanna P., Helen T., “The Gray Sky”
mariposa
Si no puedes caminar
Ni correr vuela al cielo que vas a ver el mejor pais del mundo RD
- Edgar V., Ryan S., “Republica Dominicana”
The tear from your eyes
The butterflies on your wrist die Your face turns into shade black
- Isis R., “My Butterfly”
The streets filled with art. Our minds filled with color. Hope starts in this place.
- Hadassa P., Annalise S., “Our City Reading”
I went to the lake. I found you in a canoe. I flipped the canoe.
- Hadassa P., Annalise S., “The Lake”
Nature is vibrant, Just like the bright pagoda
Our city is like art.
- Wozniaki B., Walleska Z., “Vibrancy of Reading”
Peace is outstanding
Colorful art, my heart leaps Paintings are my peace
- Wozniaki B., Walleska Z., “Outstanding Peace”
When I go to sleep
My dreams feel like wonderland
Where you can be you
- Nyleah C., Naiyada C., Lisbeth P., “Wonderland”
When I think of you
My heart won’t stop feeling thunder
Storm which makes me tear
- Nyleah C., Naiyada C., Lisbeth P., “Thunder”
The moonlight shines down. The city is beautiful. As traffic lights shine.
- Khalaya J., Carmen J., “City Night”
Spring is beginning Flowers are blooming tonight
The sunrise is bright
- Khalaya J., Carmen J., “The Beginning”
Tho the sun is gone
Your eyes still light the sky
Like the stars up high
- Nicholas C., Mason B., Diego N., “Eyes So Bright”
You hurt me so bad
That I will never be 13
Looking at you with lover girl eyes
- Adanis F., Jossanny S., Janelle A., “Lover Girl”
READING Biblioteca PUBLIC Publica
Oxygen is the freedom of the soul
Oxygen keeps you going
Breathing sets you free
- Peyton Y., Grade 7, “Freedom”
Vastly rolling on
Stretching broadly beyond grief
New frontiers await
- Oktawian D., Grade 8, “New Frontier”
Ancient mysteries
Gazed curiously for eons
Olden allure, free
- Oktawian D., Grade 8, “Old Frontier”
Alone and away
With the stars figuring what’s
Better for my heart
- Serenity P., Grade 6, “Midnight Skies”
I took a picture
Of the ocean breeze, smelling
The fresh scent, at ease.
- Serenity P., Grade 6, “Ocean Breeze”
When the rain has stopped
And when the sun has appeared
Colors arc the sky!
- Adelle G., Grade 5, “Colors Arc the Sky”
Clouds form in the sky
Drops of water pouring down
Plants thrive in the rain
- Adelle G., Grade 5, “A Rainy Day”
The sun is rising
Birds are singing in branches
Rainbow of feathers
- Janessa C., Grade 5, “Singing Birds”
The leaves are falling
The animals hibernate
The cold is coming
- Janessa C., Grade 5, “Autumn”
Rain falling from the
Sky, grey, white, black, blue, pink, red
Let the flowers bloom
- Jai C., Grade 9, “Rainy Days”
Petals blooming out
Let the sepals open up
Rain makes them all bloom
- Jai C., Grade 9, “Blooming Flowers”
Beautiful flowers
Bloom at the first sight of spring
Colors burst open
- Jaylee R., Grade 5, “Blooming Flowers”
READING Biblioteca PUBLIC Publica LIBRARY
Northeast Branch
Biblioteca Noreste
See the world black, white
Close up of the sky reveals
Painters canvas bright
- Daniela, Grade 12, “The World”
Tears from the sky fall And illuminate my face
Smile bright, live with grace
- Ariella V., Grade 10, “Poetic Rain”
Vast city of red Pagoda, Red Knights, fierce pride Long we will survive
- Ariella V., Grade 10, “Reading”
Snow is falling white Bears are hibernating Very cold outside
- Max V., Grade 4, “Winter”
Some are nice, some mean
A scaly body like snakes
All you see is fire
- Max V., Grade 4, “Dragons”
City Park I play
Basketball my favorite sport
Curry is the best
- Isaiah, Grade 3, “Reading”
If people were bugs, You would be able to trap them. Then they won’t be loud.
- Brayton V., Grade 7, “If people could be as easy as insects”
Reading is freezing.
Soon flowers will come in Spring. Then it will be warm.
- Brayton V., Grade 7, “Winter to Spring”
Rhinos are cool
Rhinos are fascinating
Rhinos are rude to everyone
- Kayden, Grade 5, “Zoo Animals”
Fortnite is fun
You can team up with people
You can revive people
- Kayden, Grade 5, “Games”
I see the sunlight I play football with my friends I touch grass outside
- Jaydrien
I play with my friend
I play football with my dad I cook with my mom
- Jaydrien
LAUER’S Escuela PARK
Primaria
ELEMENTARY Lauer’s Park SCHOOL
Fourth Grade Class
Joe Potteiger, Teacher
Reading is Feliz
Pagoda on the mountain
In the night, it glows
-Class Poem, “Reading is Feliz”
Playing in the park
Friends are playing everywhere
Playing basketball
- Santiago, “Basketball at the Park”
Colors in my house
Color of my house is blue
Black, white, orange and brown
- Santiago, “Colores de mi casa”
It shines at night
I feel free, red and black Trains, cars, and people
- Micah, “Pagoda”
Have you ever got confused how country flags were made?
Countries have their own designs. Flags are made by their own colors.
- Yusiel, “Country Flags”
As the sun goes low
The moon comes up and shines bright
As the night sky glows
- Avalynn S., Nayib E., “Night Sky”
Bees fly to the field
As they buzz with their pollen
They sparkle and gleam
- Avalynn S., Nayib E., “Bee”
Nature is outside
Trees are brown and leaves are green
In the Fall leaves fall
- Matias, “Nature”
Machupichu is a big mountain
Outside is a cool place for break
Spanish is second place into world
- Stanly V., “Peru”
In the tree the queen
Sleeps like honey the workers fly Out the hive in spring
- Meilanii L., “The Bee”
Art is joyable
Art can be for everyone
Art is fun today
- Ava, “Art is Creative”
When
kitties purr it’s cute
When kitties eat they turn really chunky
Kitties remind me of cars
- Kamila R., “Kitty”
The sun is shiny
The sun is cute and shiny
The sun is lighting
- Elianny M., “Sun”
The river flows fast
The water is bluish-teal
It ends in the sea
- Sofia C., “Rivers”
Sun shines in the day
Sunsets in many colors
The sun sets at night
- Benjamin R., Dylan E., “Sun”
En la noche la
Pagoda es bonita
En la montana
- Joel V., “La Pagoda”
Doughnuts are tasty
Doughnuts are also creamy
You can have coffee too!
- Carly M., “Doughnuts”
The trees grow in soil
Squirrels and birds live in trees
The soil is brown
- Mikaela A.
The flowers bloom its beauty in the sun
Bees freely dance and some pollinate
Birds sing though they’re chirping in the trees
- Andrea, “The life of nature”
RAIN POETRY Evaluación
INDEPENDENT Independiente de EVALUATION Poesia de lluvia
INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR
BETH UZWIAK, PHD,
gathered data to consider the impact of Rain Poetry within equity-centered humanities values and practices, and to inform, guide and fine-tune the project in other towns and cities in Pennsylvania. Included among the many outcomes, she 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 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 spaces 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.
In addition to gathering feedback from teaching artists and program partners in Reading, PA Humanities asked students at the conclusion of each workshop how they felt writing poetry. Here is what some of them said:
THANK YOU
The Wyomissing Foundation, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Adrian “Apito” Perez-Roman, Caitlin Johnson, Melissa Adams, Emily McNulty, Jennifer Balas Bressler, Daniel Egusquiza, NK James Hong, Joe Potteiger and the administration at Lauer’s Park Elementary School, Amanda Searfoss and the administration at St. Peter School, John Szalkowski and team at CTA Sign & Display, Illkya Acosta, Margo Reed for photographs from the Rain Poetry workshops and Susan Angstadt for photographs from the Rain Poetry reveal celebrations.
Thank you for all your support bringing this incredible creative vision to life!
UP NEXT
We are excited to bring a special Rain Poetry display to Harrisburg this fall, featuring poems written by young people from all four cities that have hosted this special project. We are also thrilled to present a toolkit so that communities and organizations across the state can take what we learned over the last two years and adapt it to conduct Rain Poetry workshops, installations and celebrations of their own. Contact us at hello@pahumanities. org for more information, and be sure to visit our website at pahumanities.org, subscribe to our e-newsletter and follow us on social media @pahumanities for all the latest!
Illustrations and design by Illkya Acosta.
