Inspired by Phil Gomm’s “Metropolis” prompt, I’ve revived Headline Haiku for a New York pandemic collage. I originally did a series of these current event newspaper artworks on methodtwomadness, the blog I do with Nina (who is on an extended break), but I haven’t done one in a long time.
It also fits my current supply situation–most everything I own is in storage, and I do not have many collage materials in my temporary apartment. But I do get the NY Times delivered, and I cut them up for what I’m working on as needed.
I took two of the obituary pages from last Sunday’s paper and collaged it with images and headline haiku collected from the last month’s papers.
(read the story accompanying this headline here)
My city is hurting. It’s uncertain when anything will return and what form it will take.
But the lifeblood of the city is its people, and something will always grow and thrive among them.
I spent my childhood in Ohio and Maryland but I never put roots down in either place. NYC is my hometown. And aside from one apartment, I’ve always lived and worked either on, or within walking distance, of Broadway.
For the last 10 years, I’ve been able to walk to Yankee Stadium from my residences…and many’s the time I’ve started home to the accompaniment of Frank Sinatra after a game.
New York has been a city of immigrants for its entire existence. And it will continue to draw strength from its diversity as it comes back to life.
New York, New York…a metropolis in which to imagine a new world.
K. 
Poignant reflections of, and on, your city. And great musical selections, too!
Another friend posted some photos of Central Park–so beautiful–and another perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the parks are quite beautiful. And full of birds! I live near Riverside Park so that’s where I walk. I kept hearing flickers this morning but I couldn’t see them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a touching post. I send you and your home my good wishes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. We receive your good wishes with gratitude, and send the same back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #1 (5/17/20): K’s latest haiku collage about New York City!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so sad when you see what’s happening in NYC displayed in collages like this, Kerfe. Beautiful work but so awfully poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robbie. Its helpful, I think, to acknowledge the loss and the pain, something our leaders have failed so far to do. They seem to want to pretend it will just magically disappear. Something they keep doing to our war veterans as well.
LikeLike
Powerful assembly of images and haiku including the layout of the words!! You don’t hide from the tragedy nor from the potential for regrowth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Janice. It’s hard not to get beaten down. But people need to acknowledge just how large the loss is, before “moving on”. Our government seems to have no capacity to feel the enormity of these deaths. Hopefully the people themselves will continue to respond appropriately and rebuild from the roots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…acknowledgement of suffering is important. There is such an imbalance with this situation. Privilege or fortune or both results in some people being far less harmed by the crisis than others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The density of the newsprint is like the density of population, and the photos add poignancy. I hope the spirit pulls you through this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane. Something will emerge…its hard to tell yet what it will be. Maybe we won’t be able to see what it is for a long time.
LikeLike
I hope it will be a real spirit of place. Maybe NY really has one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful. Home is everything. You are adding your strength to everyone else’s and together you will keep your home going. I have faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so Claudia. The newspaper actually had a special section yesterday on ways to remake our cities so they are more affordable and both integrated and inclusive. We’ve been given this opportunity–i hope we don’t waste it. But of course it involves sharing the wealth. Past experience shows that the very wealthy are mostly not willing to do that voluntarily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Things are going to change, that is for sure. I think in the end it will depend on people taking charge of things and using their numbers as their strength, not asking or hoping. Change from the bottom up, because the structure has imploded that existed before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it must be from the bottom up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. I too grew up in a place that I do not in any way consider home. There is nothing in me that resonates with Southern California, and I left it as soon as I graduated high school. My home is anywhere in the forest, and I have felt out of place these 15 years on this beautiful island. Cannot wait to return to the forest, but wait i must until this house can sell during a worldwide pandemic. 😂 Into the future we all go! Unknown as existence, itself. Best of luck in stabilizing your own home base. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bela. I hope you get back to your forest soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kerfe! Me too. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your headline haiku capture the pathos of your city at this terrible time. I think of you often and hope you are doing okay. It must be so extraordinary to be living in New York at this time. I understand why your head is hurting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne. Our mayor is hopeless, but perhaps we can work around him. People are resilient and adaptable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing that insider insight. I watch the news and wonder what lies behind the headlines. As you say people are resilient and adaptable. I always think of New York as being built on those qualities. I hope things begin to turn around soon
LikeLiked by 1 person