Friday Eye Candy: See Boston's Invisible Poems

The "Raining Poetry" art installation hides poetry in plain sight—the words of poets like Langston Hughes are stenciled on sidewalks around Boston and only revealed when water is added.

1 minute read

May 20, 2016, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Cristela Guerra reveals the art installation "Raining Poetry," hidden around Boston.

According to Guerra, Mass Poetry, a Boston nonprofit that supports local poets, stenciled poems by the likes of Langston Hughes or one of three Massachusetts poets on concrete sidewalks with a "biodegradable water-repellent spray." Thus, when water, such as rain, is added to the mix, the poems appear "as if they fell from above."

"The stencils first appeared on Park Street on April 1 in honor of National Poetry Month," reports Guerra. "Most recently, four poems were added on May 13. The Mayor’s Mural Crew traveled around the city installing the pieces one by one."

Sara Siegel, program director for Mass Poetry, is quoted directly in the article expressing the hope that "everyone in the state will encounter a poem in their daily lives at least once or twice a month." This program is designed to help make that happen, while also adding a bit of magic to the encounter.

Astute Planetizen readers will remember a similar art program in Seattle, where public art adjacent to bus stops only appear when it's raining.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of Washington state capitol dome in Olympia, Washington at golden hour.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap

A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

April 29 - Washington State Standard

Low view of Glendale Narrows section of Los Angeles River with concrete bottom and cloudy storm sky over head.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience

Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

April 29 - The Planning Report

Grandparents sitting on bench with young girl and boy, girl holding ball and boy holding ukelele.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan

As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.

April 29 - Source NM