Rain Poetry Philadelphia

It’s raining poetry in Pennsylvania!

PA Humanities engaged children from five Philadelphia neighborhoods in a hands-on community poetry activity facilitated by local poets and Youth Poets Laureate. Haiku created by students grades 1-5 are being installed in public spaces by Tiny WPA with a special rain-activated solution. They are inspired by the theme, “What helps you keep growing?”

All it takes is a splash of water for the poems to sprout up all around as if by magic.

Rain Poetry transforms everyday spaces into opportunities to engage with the humanities — and fosters learning, conversation, and community stewardship along the way.

Featured on WHYY, ABC, NBC10, FOX29, Metro, and PhillyVoice.

Sparking Imagination

Children’s imaginations were sparked through deep reflections on the theme of growth and its connection to personal and community development.

Under the guidance of past and present Philadelphia Youth Poets Laureate and other poets-in-residence, workshops were held in schools and afterschool programs in high need neighborhoods. The workshops teach children that the humanities are an exciting means of imaginative self-expression that builds meaningful relationships and can make change in their neighborhoods. They also got to flex their social emotional learning skills as they collaborated with mentors and community members.

Featured Poems

My family grows
My brain grows because I learn
I know I am smart

-Annaba I.

Oh little child grow
Blue skies, white clouds, go & grow
A child, moon, skies, nice

-Malaiya B.

You can help your mind.
Like meeting a new person
Or like hugging my mom

-Bella S.

My dad taught me how
to throw a football
Now I play with friends

-Takari JE

I used to be weak
I can do 14 push-ups
I can stay humble

-Tristan H

When you take a test
At school you want a good score
Patience gives a good score

-Coraline OE

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"It’s been a pleasure to guide these talented poets in the process of translating their love of language into the practice of teaching poetry."

- Yolanda Wisher, Philadelphia Poet Laureate, Poet Mentor and Curriculum Development Consultant

"What a joy to see how the RAIN project is seeding poetry, which will sprout from the streets of Philadelphia and PA! What a perfect project, to use the talents of our Youth Poet Laureates as well as students from various neighborhoods.”

- Dr. Cathy Cohen, Montgomery County Poet Laureate, Early Literacy Specialist

"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."

- David Jones, Philadelphia youth poet laureate, workshop facilitator

Events and Information

As is so often the case, all good things must come to an end, and the Rain Poetry installations are not permanent. The spray fades after a few months, leaving only memories and the experience of gathering together to watch poetry appear underfoot in the rain.

You can still read all the poems written by Philadelphia school children in this book, and catch Rain Poetry as it moves west!

Watch a video of the final celebration event at the Free Library of Philadelphia!

Haiku from the Rain Poetry Project

Rain Poetry Locations

Samuel Powel Elementary School (West Philadelphia)
Mighty Writers (Germantown
North Philadelphia and West Philadelphia)
Al Aqsa Islamic Academy (Kensington)
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (South Philadelphia)
Emlen Elementary School (Germantown)

Vernon Park (Germantown)
Lillian Marrero Library (North Philadelphia)
Al Aqsa Islamic Academy (Kensington)
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (South Philadelphia)
Carroll Park (West Philadelphia)

Hidden haikus shine through in latest Rain Poetry celebration

“We now have three public spaces throughout Philadelphia where people can engage with the humanities and enjoy and appreciate the creative work made by young people from their neighborhood."

David Jones, Rain Poetry inspire Philly youth to ‘keep growing’ through art of haiku

David Jones was named Philadelphia’s third Youth Poet Laureate as a 17-year-old in 2015, and today he continues to share his love of poetry with others.

Rain Poetry ‘surprises’ delight community at Vernon Park

With the Philadelphia debut of Rain Poetry, visitors to Vernon Park in Germantown will now find poetry written by students from nearby Emlen Elementary School stenciled on the ground right next to the park’s beautiful rain garden and in front of the steps to the Center in the Park.