Rudy Francisco - Climate Change

Get Rudy’s new book, I’LL FLY AWAY: bit.ly/rudyfly...
Check out all of Rudy’s books: bit.ly/rudyfra...
Become a Member for exclusive perks and videos: bit.ly/ButtonM...
Rudy Francisco, performing "Climate Change".
Want to choose which videos run on Button: bit.ly/ButtonC...
About Button:
Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

[@mskage_114]

that “and uh ... I’m nervous” sent shivers

[@demdelthepoet8885]

Same here. What a powerful ending

[@buhlemondliwa2033]

Yhoo Honestly..

[@mercehernandez4347]

I swear I cry every time I hear one of his poems

[@kameronmelott8738]

Same! It’s automatic 😂

[@kelsiciongoli2534]

Hes amazing

[@bubblys3579]

IKR LIKE HE MEANS EVERYTHING HE SAY I GET A TEAR

[@sneakychopsticks518]

This man got me to start Slam Poetry. Complainers will forever be my motivator in my darkest days.

[@AngieSzavui]

Oh my God! I somehow just realised how fortunate I am that I can say that I can't really relate to the tragedy of shootings, it's not happening in the country I live in, so it's easier to be ignorant. But there is so much power in this poem and especially in how he performs it that touched a chord of compassion in me. This is how we keep being human amidst all that is dehumanized, by sending out our story for others to feel, the best way we can. Thank you for bringing these emotions to the world.

[@bebejolie8187]

"grasping at straws" hit me the most in this. Just... Everything came together in that line. So f***ing powerful

[@unylajohnson8204]

Can you explain what he meant by that? Like how it all ties together?

[@bebejolie8187]

@@unylajohnson8204 in the beginning he talks about things banned in the US, mentioning plastic straws, and then slowly turning towards climate change and gun control and the absurdity of the fact that teachers might be equipped with guns. That built a connection of topics that seemed like it was put aside when it was only about school shootings later on, but the pictures still stood in my mind and I wondered where they would be going as the emotions rose up and when he then said he's grasping at straws, like holding on to even the tiniest little hint of another explanation or something else that he could think about, but also referring to the soon to be BANNED plastic straws from the beginning that might not give him anything there, it came full circle and I found that thematical connection again. It just all made sense with that line. I think that was very well crafted and it really had an impact on me.

[@unylajohnson8204]

@@bebejolie8187 ooooh I get it now. Yeah that’s a beautiful, bittersweet ending. He’s a genius 😳

[@Thebular.]

First video I saw of Rudy Francisco reading his poetry was "Love Poem Medley" on here. Since the he has easily become one of my favorites poets, I've yet to hear or read something from him that I didn't think was perfect. Really resonated with me Rudy, phenomenal work!

[@ButtonPoetry]

Thanks for sharing!

[@denisethiessen4131]

His words are truly raw yet powerful.

[@emmaabadeer9107]

Ahhh I love Rudy Francisco so much

[@HemaChaurasia]

I get goosebumps listening to his poetry readings. My heart jumped into my mouth when he said "My cousin is 17..."

[@someoneelse5054]

his poems lately have been even more so powerful than rver before

[@teagannam]

My mom witnessed a school shooting in college. Simon’s Rock, 1992. Two people were killed and four more were injured. The worst thing about it, though, is that most of you have probably never even heard of it. Apparently there are too many for everyone to remember them all. *Why are there too many to remember them all.*

[@kanyewest3474]

“ before the blood begins to wonder why it’s outside of the person it belongs to “ That just hit

[@haussonbyrd1464]

"I am grasping at straws" Good Fucking God. The set up. The execution? I just...

[@amandaanastasi4013]

So important for poets to be communicating climate change. Here Rudy tackles climate change and gun violence in the one poem! Love it.

[@ChloeCarterrWith2Rs]

My favourite poet!

[@TooMuchCosby]

Wooo Jesus. My God. Rudy is the Truth.

[@WanderingWorm]

I love his poems, they are all so moving and so powerful. I look forward to the day I can travel to the east coast and watch him live! I sincerely hope he continues writing and performing. So much of his work has helped me power through.

[@ToshiJ89]

Rudy speaks, I hear everything

[@jemiyawills7208]

Omg Rudy I have to meet him 😭💓🥺 🌍

[@saras8664]

Every single freaking word from him is golden ❤️

[@reeree4755]

Bringing me to tears as Always

[@opula8851]

Wow!!! Was so carried away, didn't notice the poem had ended. Just wow!!

[@aishagreen_]

God, I love this man so much 🖤❤️

[@chrisloveall971]

He is too good!!

[@GodsgiftKhaneal]

Rudy really the fucking 🐐

[@thodamagichojaye275]

Blessed to listen you, dude ❣

[@maggiereid2865]

Oof... this is so chilling...

[@rainbowfoxmagicgrrrl]

Perhaps beside the point, but I'm still curious about where your cousin was when he was supposed to be tuxedo shopping with you

[@felicial.2677]

he never says but i think he wanted us to make the connection of how his cousin is missing and he fear. he’s scared that his little cousin was gunned down and killed.

[@simonfranktamargo4396]

I miss this dudeeeeeeee

[@PriscilleBukasa]

Wow so gripping and powerful 🔥

[@jaderene]

This was so moving!!!!

[@jaylaharvest1441]

he is incredible, i will never get over him

[@kristeemarie2229]

why do you always say the right things? 🥺

[@mikinaama5492]

Climate change! Wow! I love that he took it from tis angle. We are the environment

[@sav.2876]

I love this man

[@FrantzEarlRobinson]

Violence and great uncertainty is a sad reality of our world.

[@MelMelx365]

Damn.

[@mskage_114]

Rudy doesn’t miss

[@xxshelbybear]

Amazing

[@ButtonPoetry]

You are

[@kelly9704]

Damnnnnn 👏👏🙌🙌

[@learnwithalvin7327]

liked before i played it.. i'd like to meet you in person one day. fr

[@vaughncook9188]

Top 3

[@loveandlightwithrae3365]

1st!🥰 Love it here!

[@kristinamelnichenko5775]

Damnnn.

[@leticiauqueio1070]

Rudy, I'm in love with you

[@lillymirembe4474]

I shake in all his poems...

[@normawint7207]

My word I love this man, but why did he leave me hanging like that😭

[@abdulrafay984]

Whoever kills an innocent life It is as if he has killed all of humanity QURAN

[@Fierclyfabulous]

Don’t jihadists do that...

[@steveninniss8131]

lord

[@smileforyourself4303]

Steven Iniss, watch this poetry too if u like fren, findable as --Is the Freedom for me - A English Poetry - Travel & Poetry Awaj !

[@zacheryhenson3087]

Bold move, like always with Rudy. Personally didn’t enjoy this piece.

[@cultcomedypictures]

Wow... the anxiety levels in our youth today is off the chain. He knows details of every shooting in the last decade. Social media brings every event in the world to you fingertips... this is sure to create mass panic. Don’t worry, fam, you are very very unlikely to get shot up like that.

[@rumfordc]

dang this poor guy needs to stop watching TV he's gonna have a panic attack

[@aidenjulius4678]

agreed but. guns don’t kill ppl

[@DC-pp8xf]

The sole purpose of a gun is to maim, injure or kill.

[@GodsgiftKhaneal]

Rudy really the fucking 🐐