Rudy Francisco @ Toronto Poetry Slam Finals 2017

[@aaliyahjones5269]

“I wanna be your ex boyfriends stuntman.. I wanna do everything he never had the courage to do” ..... MY HEART UGH

[@matthewsalvas5547]

It’s everything. Genius.

[@ShermtaF]

"Being black is one of the most extreme sports in America" I felt that

[@camrnjurena]

"I've never been in the Military, but I have this purple heart. I got it for beating myself up over things I can't fix." This line is my life in a nutshell.

[@nicolesmith3348]

"trying to convince my shadow I'm worth following" 💙💜 😆😆

[@arcticariesamanda292]

"Doesn't matter if the glass if half full or half empty there's water in the cup, drink that shit and stop complaining." Wow 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@mikip282]

That reminded me that people will always have it worse

[@ariesone1878]

wow wow

[@user-mq9lh3zw7t]

“I believe music is easier to digest than medicine” i felt that 👊🏾

[@mikeyjoenorthwoodsboy5049]

FACTS

[@DenelsiaWalker]

100

[@sherrellharrod2537]

I am still alive

[@noorfatima6423]

Just some timelines for me: 7:34 Volcano surfing 4:05 My name is Rudy 10:56 Firearms 14:57 The complainers 19:07 To the girl who works at Starbucks down the street from my house on Delmar heights road, swear to God I'm not a stalker

[@Snowleopard2938]

adrenaline rush, my honest poem, rifle, and complainers are their official titles btw

[@yofavshortperson1124]

You are GOATED for this tysm

[@endorsejudgement]

Can you be proud of someone you’ve never met?

[@petagayeclarke9033]

yup

[@vinsertheritagehere340]

literally all the time. ALL OF THE TIME. When you see someone you passed sleeping on the street everyday growing up walk out of a house and know that they managed to get help. When you see child stars succeed and not be in the news anymore. When you hear of journalists being arrested in other countries for doing what we all believe in at home.

[@tiffanymutonhora3465]

Rose Mansfield yessssssssssssssssssss

[@lucy.eugenie5268]

@@petagayeclarke9033 definitely

Everyone here says yes but they are wrong by the the definition of the word "Proud" in the definition it says this "of someone with whom one is closely associated." so you cannot be proud of someone you do not know.

[@JustinIdrovo21]

“Jim crow may have left the nest but our streets are still covered in his feathers” wow rudy, hear this poem about 10 times and still at a loss for words at that line

[@steddyliife9495]

Justin Idrovo Hey! when u get a chance if u cud check out my poetry and music page that would be awesome:) and gime some criticism and feed back that wud be awesome 😎😎

[@originaldae-dreamer]

That poem gave me chills. That line was damn good.

[@anushkasrishti5179]

⁹p99l

[@jessicaclifton6829]

Right

[@bennytoe]

"... i don't know whos voice this is"... as a poet who slams. damn. just that intro to this honest poem hit me hard.

[@bombplaya45]

he's the sort of poet that makes me hate everything I have ever written.

[@malihah4205]

honestly same

[@kaydorkpalmas]

No he is the type of poet that's makes you want to become a better one **

[@rachelmackelcan1612]

or maybe he's the poet that helps you realize that you have a voice that needs to be exercised like a muscle. That everything you've written is a start to a great adventure. Maybe he is the first of many trainers that will inspire you to shape that voice into something you never thought could be so incredible.

[@swoosh3684]

Hahahaha lol I can relate

[@dave4.108]

I empathize with you. He's our father 😄😄😄

[@madisonrene8248]

I have always loved his storytelling ability within poems, but I think that seeing him put all these pieces together for a single performance is even more beautiful. Every bit of his creativity and imagery floods out effortlessly.

[@rsimon2088]

0:00-25:21 is the best part

[@paulmauricegilet4436]

You such a Hater Damn..!!😖

[@lucillelath4785]

Paul Mauricegilet ?

[@Bunny-ei1wx]

lol

[@wynter_aneiya969]

Your a meanie

[@iambag2110]

Paul Mauricegilet you’re smart

[@Murdermittens_]

The intro 😂😂 "Jesus take the wheel. That's my best friend"

[@savannahcontreras7379]

he makes me want to write poetry again

[@giovanicamara869]

Do it!

[@ruandejager5398]

I know it's a while since posted, but I hope you started writing again!

[@Opinions567]

Please do and post it

[@Tsag03]

Same

[@963ag]

I have been writing poetry for 40+ years, have published 4 books, facilitated workshops, and listened to, and read countless poems... But this is authentic, spontaneous, raw honesty, and unlike much of today's poetry- which is full of fluff, focus on technique, and intricate nonsense. We need more to- the point, poets with heart like this young man.

[@lie_tilla1901]

I can never get tired of listening to him 💕

[@kadeempratt7354]

"we don't need new ways to create ways of putting ourself in danger the old ones have been working for decades!"

[@ddebjayy]

“I believe that a good song can turn any room into a church” YUP🤩

[@alexispoling6811]

“It doesn’t matter if the cup is half full or half empty. There’s water in the cup. Drink that shit and stop complaining!” My favorite line from Complainers 💙💙💙

[@saennamue5002]

one of my favorite poets...

[@jadalynn1657]

sandra namue same he is my favorite 💓

[@rascallyga]

mine too

[@Koribaby1]

I love this man. There's an intro to his Honest Poem that he doesn't always do but I wish he would. It's so impactful. And he hasn't changed the guns to musical instrument poem ["The Heart and The Fist"] much except for its delivery, and added the wonderful line, "I am learning that the only difference between a garden and a graveyard is what you choose to put in the ground" and just. Wow.

[@Poiuyre123]

7:24 when he said “are y’all good” while i wiped the tears from my eyes -quit playin rudy

[@kenp-woman994]

I think Rudy was the first poet I ever really LOVED. Like I’m a fan of people like Olivia gatwood and Neil hilborn and Jared singer (etc), but I think Rudy was the first one I finally felt a connection with. Thank you for all of your beautiful words. Keep creating man

[@somyaagarwal5868]

Oh my God! This is just wonderful.. it's 2am and I couldn't sleep because my mind was cluttered with all sorts of shit. And then I listen to these poems.. I feel by ever other poem I'm getting more clarity, like my mind is no more a mess of shit. But a happy place. The power your words have cannot be described in words! 💓

[@TOPoetrySlam]

Glad you enjoyed Rudy's set! Be sure to check out the other poets on our Channel

[@coldcarrots8550]

Or write your own. :)

[@zoyab5593]

I love how happy he is in this :)

[@smlb1352]

poets like him remind me that i can get chills over chills. its beautiful

[@karleensmith6371]

Best performance of "honest poem" yet. I love your honesty and vulnerability. Rudy, you always surprise me. Thank you!

[@jessemcvicker4507]

Every time i watch this, Im blown away. As a poet, this is the kind of man I aspire to be. "I wonder how long it took to convince the first rifle that it could hold a note instead of a bullet but still fire into a crowd and make everyone move"

[@smileforyourself4303]

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

[@xocontejean5521]

I rewatch his poems over and over and over again like I’m sedition for the first time. They will never get old ❤️

[@mariellaq415]

every time i watch this performance my heart throbs, this is the best video on youtube 💗

[@ivana4816]

Every one of his poems is beautiful 😣💚

[@TOPoetrySlam]

Same!

[@shantie95]

I love how the audience slowly gets more and more mesmerized. He's just so incredible

[@SashaCaldwell491]

I LOVE U I SEEN YOU ON JIMMY FALLON LAST NIGHT AND I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO U ALL NITE... U MAKE ME FEEL THINGS I ONCE DELETED YEARS AGO MY DEMONS ARE REAL BUT I KNOW I NEED TO CLEAN THE CLOSET THAT NEVER OPENED 20 YEARS AGO. YOUR A LEGEND IN MY EYES THANKU FOR SHARING YOUR VOICE, LIFE, HEART & SOUL WITH US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

[@ratnababaria5027]

Its my his 3 or 4th video in a row n I'm still not tired of that him! Rudy u r awesome!

[@karmitasaintime554]

“And i realize... im gonna make it home safe This time” damnn 😩

[@BeingGraceDivine]

Wow! 5:36 -- i'm clumsy. yesterday i tripped over my self-esteem, i landed on my pride, and t shattered like an iphone with a broken face. now i can't even tell who's trying to give me a compliment. i've never been in the military, but i have this purple heart. i got it from beating myself up over things i can't fix. ....a graveyard in my closet. i'm afraid that if i let you see my skeletons, you'll grind my bones in powder and get high on my faultlines. .... i don't allow myself to cry as often as i need to... i have solar power confidence. i have a battery operated smile. my hobbies include editing my life story, hiding behind metaphors, and trying to convince my shadow that i'm someone worth following... . ... i don't know know much. but i do know this... i know that heaven is full of music. i know that god listens to my heartbeat on his ipod; it reminds him that we still got work to do.

[@its.not.u2292]

The toupet of this guy! How dare he just come into our lives and drop some of the most inspiring lines for all ages alike 🤦🏾‍♂️. Saving lives one poem at a time..

[@TOPoetrySlam]

That's the Rudy way!

[@makaylacurtis5300]

Seeing this man on my screen make me ...feel.. and appreciate him everyday for it .

[@alyssapeggram202]

I love these poems. They're so beautiful and relatable.

[@mikaylamoore878]

I absolutely love Rudy. I will never be able to find another slam poet that tops his poems, voice, and demeanor.

[@Tazapan]

I love how you can always tell which poems he just wrote, and all of the emotions are still fresh!

[@victoriadiaz7678]

if I could like this a million times I would

[@danielle9491]

I listen to your poems time after time and it feels like I was first introduced to your work and it inspires me to be a better writer.

[@bkgang8909]

This guy is just PURE! His story telling is absolutely amazing and I could listen to him ALL DAY!

[@evilflamingskull5000]

You can tell exactly when he gets into a poem after doing a little crowd work or joking. It’s really really interesting!

[@Murdermittens_]

Sometimes it takes someone with some distance from the arts to remind us why we do this

[@JTD472]

Lets JustJ what do you mean by that? You referring to his friend he mentions? Just curious

[@Fundi_Kev]

.... "I dont allow myself to cry as much I need to"...... 🤔🤔 ... "things could have been worse"...

[@Snowleopard2938]

right? i love rudy and all of his poems except complainers, just because things could have been worse doesn’t negate anyone’s trauma and just because one has a bad experience doesn’t mean they don’t have the right to be upset about it, comparative suffering makes people feel like their emotions aren’t valid when they are

[@jamiepender6667]

WOW. That's literally all I can even say. I love this. - I've never listened to slam poetry until today. I'm addicted.

[@latarshia4422]

I love his poetry

[@salariaabacombie5758]

I'm honored to have me you in 2009 @ SDSU and still I listen to all of you old and new poems I appreciate the motivation and beautiful delivery of your poems! you the ish !!! Keep it up !!you motivating the world!

[@stephaniebonilla1928]

he is AMAZING!!! giving me all the feels

[@SydTheCreative]

OMG!!! 😭😭❤️ I LOVE HIM

[@preacher475]

"I assume it's because I find myself dedicating time to things that only last for a few seconds." This hit me hard I have listened to this every day for three years this just inspires me.

[@EdithJonesWellness]

"You are still alive so act like it." I love it. I live it.

[@malissahyatt2425]

God listens to my heartbeat on his iPod. ..tears. that line got me hard.

[@jaeasuncion3431]

Rudy, it's rare to have that feeling overcome me. I understand you when you said you don't normally write about love. Just wanted to say that saying "hi" to someone so special to you is more divine to them than what you think

[@mariahsmith300]

I love him so much ❤

[@lucianokuzola7354]

“....We’ve been punched by a fistful of life in the oesophagus...”

[@professoramirasims]

hashtag goals...i love that poetry exists...and I love that youtube recommended this 20plus minutes of magnificence

[@vallienelson3734]

Rudy you made me fall in love and broke my heart in the first 5 minutes

[@sevenstreams7581]

This is one of my all time favorite poets

[@andreaandre377]

I've watched and listened to his poems so many times, I love them so much

[@highqualitytaco1932]

Every day I watch this and I believe this makes me a better person

[@SashaCaldwell491]

🌻😀You are a ROCK STAR!! The last one is what u did on Fallon. 😍💜😱

[@pashawhite4252]

You go boy this the shit man I can sit and listen to u all night

[@brewbrewer8798]

I see movies in this young man's future.

[@bhawk2311]

This was so very powerful and moved me😊

[@romanromano4338]

Wow, what a gift of words. Thank you, Sir Rudy.

[@viteracox-el6904]

He makes me laugh and feel what he is fee ling the moment he wrote it. He is a poetic King.

[@tonyt3439]

Why am I just discovering this in April 2021?? Love this guy!

[@smileforyourself4303]

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

[@whatsupwithtorii]

He’s so cute . I love his poetry & voice, Listening to this with wine makes My day.

[@NondeM]

Love this guy 💖

[@lisapowell2333]

Exquisite. Just phenomenal. Thank you for your beautiful words Rudy I really enjoyed all of your poems. ✨

[@Unknown-kb4im]

His laugh is adorable!🥺😭😭like it just helps feed into the authenticity of the poems and also his personality.🙃😇

[@reporterpeytonlewis1256]

I love you Rudy!!! This was amazing!!!! 💕

[@loisdemus9373]

So beautiful second time you brought me to tears

[@ryananglum5660]

absolutely phenomenal.

[@marcuservin9990]

Got to Applaud this Young Man 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Great Poet

[@ashleesingh279]

I just love him so much

[@jsallysally]

Emotive... Productive... Pure talent

[@jeremiahmorell8356]

You've just made another lifelong fan. Amazing! God bless you brother :)

[@samvancook]

I love this set. Thanks Toronto folks!

[@janvigurung]

please never stop poetry

[@msblair327]

I love these so much. Enjoyed them

[@chanteljnai6728]

This is so Beautiful

[@euneta]

These poems are very entertaining, life. Is so difficult, it is beautiful to come out have a great laugh from a good poet.

[@lurethomas5692]

I see him this weekend and I'm so excited. Have to get him a birthday gift.

[@soulflower01]

My heart. I just fell in love with his honest poem.

[@elijahsouthwick5838]

"I just clap when it's over" lmaoooo. Love this poet

[@ClaytonFrisbie-g9p]

"A man is not defined by what he can destroy. " "A person who only knows how to fight can only communicate in violence, and that shouldn't be anyone's first language." 💯

[@andreaholford4472]

He has the ability to transform me into a fly on the wall of his soul. Love him!

[@elsacrotty3300]

I love his poetry so much! This is how I want to write my poetry, so good and so real

[@latoyajacques6753]

I'm so late to the party but...Sir, I'm in awe of you and your talent!!! 👏🏾🙌🏾🙋🏾‍♀️❤

[@aislingcartwright5697]

I love his presentation of his poems

[@shandaskerritt4089]

I am so in love with him. 🥰 such beautiful poetry, it made my soul come alive.

[@shaquashagrant1361]

I love ❤️ him I could listen 👂 his poetry all day

[@swoosh3684]

That girl screaming in the background though...

[@meh.3918]

I wish I could like this more then once

[@vanessawilliams5730]

thank u super amazing spirit!!!!!