Haiku for Lower East Side History Month!

Posted by on 05.19.14 in 2014, Events, Partners in Haiku | 0 comments

Haiku for Lower East Side History Month!

May is Lower East Side History Month, and to that end a host of chalking activity was occurring on the opening weekend due to #chalkLES, a multi-organization effort to write historical tidbits on the streets of the Lower East Side.

The organizer of #chalkLES (and generally amazing LES mover-and-shaker), Ryan Gilliam, invited Guerilla Haiku to add some more chalkdust to the scene. To which we resoundingly said YES!

On the eve of our Saturday frolics, I decorated my beloved Tenement Museum with haiku inspired by its work and mission.

But the day truly began in Seward Park where the melting pot of the Lower East Side was out in full force. After getting some Jehovah’s Witnesses to translate their message into 17-syllables, snapping a photo of a group of @janeswalk participants posing with their Jane Jacobs haiku, and being inspired by a young man translating his glorious haiku into Chinese so his mother could appreciate it with him- we headed onwards!

Next up, the Henry Street Settlement, celebrating Lillian Wald (their founder’s) birthday. And we chalked into a multicultural joyful block-party!! We found ample inspiration (and participated in a number of group dances). Check out our odes to a very special neighborhood!

To Haiku!

Facepainting Happens - but you have to wait for it - better be patient!
Abrons Arts Center - American Realness meets - Queer NY City
Cultures Converging - Ices, popcorn, and dancing - Languages merging
Cakes made to honor - the Birthday Girl, Lillian - always remembered
Sun's rays unperturbed - by clouds it shows its warm face - to the world's children
Setting the scene for haiku!
ghm575 May 17, 2014
Block Party crafting!
ghm575 May 17, 2014
Henry Street gets chalky!
ghm575 May 17, 2014
This is my fav'rite - ...
ghm575 May 17, 2014
100 years plus - Henry Street provides service - to the LES
Team New School rocks it out!
Balloons and Chalk
ghm575 May 17, 2014
I have come - to say hello - then I shall go!
Today is the day - what will the other days hold? - tomorrow will tell!
I like rainbows and - I do not like bees but I - do like baby bees
The tree is in - the garden - and so am I
Jane Walkers!
ghm575 May 17, 2014
Sharon contemplates
ghm575 May 17, 2014
Eighteen-sixty three - Lucas solved housing crisis - for twenty families
Home of Immigrants - of the past and of today - Honor their (our) Stories!

If you want to see this album on Flickr, click here.