Rudy Francisco - Your God

[@ButtonPoetry]

Read this poem and more in Rudy's bestselling debut book, Helium: bit.ly/rudyfhelium

[@penversity]

"I bet his high school served racism in the cafeteria and offered hate speech as a second language." His turn of phrases are some of the best and this poem is a perfect example of that. Your ears are always waiting for the next line.

[@ascetic3312]

Agreed. His turns of phrase are pretty amazing.

[@thelorax2208]

" . . . I want you to tell your God that my God is looking for him . . " that line gave me chills . .

[@miaorange]

I know right? 😐

[@MM-yi6wk]

thats the one part i didnt get, what does that mean?

[@tegrabalonga9502]

@@MM-yi6wk He means the true God that he believes in is looking for the god created by the man to punish for all he has done

[@dominionadeyemi6034]

Same

[@TimmySebaschan]

@THE GIFTED POET Romans 5:8. We're all sinners.

[@autumnsmith5136]

"Your god stole my God's identity" literally shaking this was so good

[@kittttygirl5]

That was the one line i didnt really grasp the meaning of ?

[@luviegc7729]

kitty k Maybe he's talking about how some cultures have different God's even though there is only one God. So, he probably means that some people are praising another God that isn't even the actual God, and that the God they're praising is just a copy of the real one. If you get what I mean.

[@autumnsmith5136]

the way I interpreted it was he sees these extremists who try to justify their hate with religion have taken the true loving identity of God--stealing his God's identity

[@luviegc7729]

Autumn Smith Oh yup, your understanding makes more sense.

[@thelorax2208]

what he means by it is that God is supposed to love everyone no matter how many times they have failed, or how many flaws they have but people like to pick and prefer passages to preach that serve their own purposes. and so by doing that they change the face of God warping it into something of anger and hate, something of human design.

[@emilygales9549]

“yah know it’s funny, how we can believe that we are created in God’s image, and then recreate God in ours.” damn as a kinda religious person this made me think...

[@susan-ku5py]

Emjune Fujioka me too I had to pause the video

[@forgetfulstranger]

Guess it depends on your religion, in my faith God is one, neither male nor female, has no parents or children, no beginning or end, the eternal, is incomporable and inconceivable to the point where we only know God by his 99 names which describe God's qualities

[@bajekbajeklyn8447]

I consider myself religious but I refuse to incline myself on false and rude teachings. I do not care as much about my God's history because all I know is that my God is my best friend and saviour and there's that.

[@Scilla_Sage]

"Your God stole my gods identity" *someone in the crowd then says "oh my god"*

[@constellationsystem5777]

It is true, God is created in man's image, not the other way around. That's why if you ask any individual what God is like, you're going to get a different answer. This is because in a way, your idea of God is really your idea of yourself.

[@soo_poetical]

Your god stole my god's identity... The woman in the audience that said "oh my god" perfect timing.

[@kartermcclendon6129]

bbcb4217 haha that was mee

[@operationbeatingheart2872]

“I bet there were Angels in Heaven who have black eyes and broken Halos who claim to have fell down the stairs.” When I thought about this line, it made sense. At the end of his astonishing poem, he says how the man is praying to his own shadow, making it so that he is his own God. God has angels on his side, so this would mean that the man’s angels are his children that he abusing which explains the black eyes and broken halos that “claim” to have fell down the stairs. The angels are forced to make up an excuse instead of telling the truth. Truly amazing poetry.

[@xoxava]

omg now that you said that i love the poem so much more. rudy is always going deeper than we think.

[@necroticvirus4382]

I’m pretty sure he was referencing his wife and children

[@Odysseus0000]

could also be the wife instead of the children

[@taejean9061]

I am religious, and I want to kiss this man's feet for this poem. Too many people inflict pain and spew hatred in the name of "god" and nothing infuriates me more than to see people hurt other people over something we can not prove

[@sanvegapoet]

As a former pastor, saaaaame

[@rima7286]

with all due respect, you being religious and allowing this system to continue breathing is part of the problem.

[@AD-re9pu]

*Tell your god that my God is looking is looking for him* YALL CAN YOU JUST TAKE A MOMENT FOR THISS MASTERPIECE

[@VinoVenitas]

"Your god is a confederate flags wetdream." DAMN that line was rough. Amazing piece.

[@natalieperilli3917]

That's beautiful. Exactly how I feel about Christianity and nobody understands so thank you for putting it into words.

[@omarmabrouk7758]

Natalie Perilli or islam 😕

[@natalieperilli3917]

Omar Mabrouk if that a what you associate then yea totally

[@PamelaButtafly10]

All religions for me

[@phillipians4137]

What part of the bible says that, jesus was a jew and ethiopians were black and they didnt have no problems with race back then, but jews were slaves. If u actually knew history

[@natalieperilli3917]

Aaron Mills it's not just the bible kid. It's the interpretation that people have given to it.

[@daisymichelle2890]

every time i listen, i find a new favorite line. this poem is true art

[@kinseyella8512]

I'm pagan, but this poem right here made my jaw drop and sent chills down my spine. This poem right here, is a piece of art.

[@zknight4481]

I’ve loved this poem for so long that Donald Trump wasn’t a line in it the first time I read it on Tumblr (I believe it was John McCain back then, actually). I’ve loved it through my teenage years until now at 25 years old. I loved it when I was the Christian girl and I loved it through my transition into no longer being Christian, or anything else. I want you to know that this poem has never left my brain. Its inspired me on so many levels. I’ve listened to it and read it so many times that I have it memorized. I guarantee I’ll be 95 showing this poem to my great grandkids. I’m getting a line from it tattooed this week because it’s one of the poems that impacted me the most.

[@neesavelez4018]

This... this is everything that needs to be said over and over until people listen. "Your god stole my God's identity."

[@mumbii_sun]

Is there something this wonderful creation cannot do, cannot make a masterpiece...you inspire me Rudy Francisco also you make my world and just the world in general a greater place. Thank you for another powerful and well thought out piece

[@TheRealGr8st]

I love this man and his poetry. I think the world needs more people like this, who proclaim a God that loves people instead of a god who serves there own interests.

[@adriennedozier613]

*SNAP*SNAP*SNAP* That was heavy!! The direction he took to make his point was absolutely brilliant!!! Rudy, my God is looking for their god too...and He is NOT pleased.

[@delaneyt.8836]

Beautiful. Rudy, you bend words into art that needs no museum to be remembered.

[@stevensmith258]

Man I was kinda iffy about watching this cuz I just started listening to him and thought this would make me not like him anymore but now I like him even more

[@PunkoRegarto]

I'm not a person of faith, but I thought this was still very beautiful and powerful. Top job mate, as always. :)

[@WatchMeWakeU111111]

I'm going to share this with my church.❤

[@avasanders3354]

this is everything I didn't know I needed to say to every religious person who tried to drag me down for things I can never change. this man has put it all down and laid everything out with perfect clarity, this is everything we never knew we needed.

[@taylerl8988]

I've watched this poem at least 7 times over the last 2 days. Rudy is such a talent but he really blew me away with this one. I have no words.

[@EyeCatchingPleasures]

I really felt the emotion and energy in his voice when he spoke. Realism in his words at how things happen and others who are caught in its illusionary grasp. Great job Man.

[@amberdavis7481]

This is so powerful. ❤️🎯

[@hihiz432]

I'm an atheist but this poem had me shOOk

[@RwodryMoriom]

Hsjshksjs high Street illustrious Heisman Rock Glock ugh fc you Shi though GONE goblin high the 🚂🚜

[@elisima8311]

Same

[@Userexistss]

BRO SAMEE

[@thomascarifioii1524]

Love you Rudy! Used one of your lines as my senior quote. Keep doing what you’re doing you are the reason I write poetry.

[@finception9719]

which one

[@sajidaassaf174]

^

[@thomascarifioii1524]

Hailie Dude “my hobbies include editing my life story, hiding behind metaphors, and trying to convince my shadow that I’m someone worth following”

[@sajidaassaf174]

Thomas Carifio II Rudy, man, he never fails to amaze me. Good choice mate

[@curtissmith795]

I live in AZ and have a mullet and still love Rudy and his message.

[@sarahhajko8910]

listening to this for healing when nothing seems like it'll ever be okay again- bless Rudy Francisco

[@Jon_Chhan]

this is exactly what i have cooped inside for the past two years because my vocabulary couldn’t catch up..... #respect

[@dannysvanity]

I met Rudy on Saturday and it was so cool and I recommended seeing him perform live. Also Rudy it was amazing to see you-Danny

[@AndyRobinsonMusic]

Thank you Rudy!

[@ryannbrazil]

This is one of my favorite poems of all time

[@faatimahfarhad1523]

Oh My God!!! Every single time Rudy❤❤ stunned

[@xystify7973]

This.. this is what makes me proud to be a Christian. God loves gays. God is not hateful. God is all loving

[@staceyastill3831]

There's so much power and beauty in this! I can't even pick a section to quote.

[@BlackSheep-ng8rn]

God is shared through the hands of men women in what ever way you see as you are doing now Brother

[@scorpio1699]

As an atheist, what I dislike about religion the most isn't that it's fiction. It's the social privilege that religious people have to be publicly prejudice because they're allowed to hide behind "God says". Most don't even go to church or read the bible but they'll always use it as their get out of jail free card for hate speech.

[@arandomuser9459]

Scorpio Exactly. That’s my main problem with it. People use it as an excuse to be hurtful and cause harm but they never think they are the wrong ones and they expect to get away with it (and often do) because an invisible man who hasn’t been on this planet for at least thousands of years said so.

[@thundercat123studios]

I am a believer in God and yet you’re right. Many use the word of God to make judgements when they themselves aren’t. God says to love thy neighbor and to spread his word, not crucify those who don’t listen to his word.

[@brotherbuff1405]

Ruthless, and relentless. I love it.

[@mdb851]

Stunning, compelling, and eye opening. What the world needs to hear. A true artist!

[@katwilkinson9650]

“I bet there are angels in heaven with black eyes and broken halos, claiming they fell down the stairs.” Damnnnnn

[@ashleyann18]

THIS IS FUCKING ART!!!! RUDY IS A FUCKING MIRACLE TO THIS GENERATION!!!!!!!!! every time he speaks I get chills. tell your God, my God is looking for him is a fucking BOSS LINE!!!!!!!!!!

[@popoaitanuvasa5510]

He ain't have to snap like that.... I'm shaken to my core

[@ChicaRawwr]

I love every poem of rudy! how he can be so talented!?? His words are beautiful

[@JemMaxine]

literally every line on this poem sends

[@hiddendurability3901]

Wow, this gave me goosebumps, another example of the funny and serious, all in one. He is so talented!

[@Shaneee0924]

Every line hits differently .

[@Jam-Beat]

I had a very emotional reaction for the duration, but that final line shook me.

[@unicorngod423_4]

Every single time I watch this clip the last line chokes me up every time bc I’m so sick of people using god as a shield to be an awful person and I’m so sick of having to prove to people that when I say I’m religious it doesn’t mean I’m a hate filled bigot

[@kaip7306]

with each word he said my mouth dropped even more

[@kultloanomolemo4357]

we bow to greatness.❤️😔

[@ashleyann18]

PREACH IT BBYYYYYYYYYYY

[@AlysiaKnowles]

Goose bumps every time. This was dope

[@sidneymize8135]

this is absolutely beautiful he uses figurative language so well

[@jonnahdayuta]

This shook me to my core. Outstanding work.

[@nicholesuero2748]

I have chills literal chills

[@shlandamilligan3102]

My GOD!!!! What a truth!!! I love love love his poetry!!!

[@emcosm]

the end literally made me say "oh my god" because of how powerful it was

[@camillev9280]

ok im not sure if im seeing this the way he meant it so correct me if im wrong. The way i saw this is that people take the name of God and use it for negative things that God would never actually condone. If this is what you meant, thank you so much. New favorite slam poem right here.

[@juliabrooks8396]

yes!! here's another explanation from another person (+Poetic Journey): "He's drawing attention to the inconsistency of racism despite teachings of love thy neighbor. He's calling out those arrogant enough to think that they are reflections of God and that anyone different is flawed or less of a person."

[@nanmari9362]

thank you sarah for that explanation!

[@conabiswas1540]

Camille Anne yes! I saw it the same way! He’s calling out those who use God’s words to condone their behavior such as racism and any sort of unloving behavior that God does not support. That last line was sooo powerful!

[@kennethjones3947]

Camille Anne this can be done with anything that individual personally believes in. Disguising it as Christianity

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Every. Time. This. Man. Speaks.

[@Kaitlyn-hx8kd]

This my favorite poem I have ever heard. I look up to this guy now.

[@pennydelvilla6278]

The most powerful poem ever. Thanks so much for this.

[@terrieknutson107]

So powerful

[@asias3000]

a god damn masterpiece

[@habibaezzat9815]

Keep coming back for this. Wow.

[@anthonyginther6883]

I'm late to the party. This YOUNG MAN IS BRILLIANT!!!

[@clintclore5717]

Wow! What Talent!

[@moon5265]

Beautiful message done craftily. ♥️

[@whammons357]

Powerful and accurate

[@mireallasalim6644]

So good!!!!!!

[@halleykunen1088]

Brilliant.

[@girltograndma]

Wow. Well said.

[@byjessicatavares]

Wow... no words... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@pragyadwivedi2204]

This person is amazing 🖤

[@baileylantman1348]

"I bet there are angels in heaven with black eyes and broken halos who claim they fell down the stairs." This line hit hard for me.

[@kittttygirl5]

wow. a new Rudy poem and just like the rest im left speechless.... he never fails to impress

[@donshalon3127]

Powerful 🙌🏽

[@foreversmiler950]

Held my breath!

[@laurenwinchester3796]

Hes such an amazing poet!!!!

[@laurenalviz8410]

i love this man so much

[@lindostars23]

'My God is looking for him' OMG YES YES YES!!!!!

[@jazminepoirier1841]

Wow... He's amazing

[@hirightnow]

Oh, my, that was great!

[@georgeflores5382]

I've been waiting ever since I got Helium in the mail to see a video of this.

[@clairebearbeauty1]

so so incredible

[@divalizzous]

"I bet your God would've made Eve w/o a mouth... sooner of later you will realize that you are praying to your own shadow, that you are standing in front of mirrors & worshiping your own reflection."

[@clairegeorgine1965]

I love this so much

[@zhanubiadivine1792]

oh my goddd that last line

[@rosesonmars6]

this is beautiful . 👏💕

[@larisacouch299]

I love this so much. This is very inspirational

[@kaitlinsteele6131]

One of my favorites!!

[@ryheisha2796]

“Sooner or later you will realize that you are praying to your own shadow.” Phew finger snaps on THAT!!!!

[@alexyssielewicz]

Excellent!!

[@itsmissross]

WHOOOO DAMN RUDY HITTING HARD

[@alisonbyrd3258]

Carl Sandburg would love this poem 🥲😭

[@lovie_ucutetho]

Ive never seen anything more beautiful ❤️😭❤️

[@johnebrecht1656]

Love your thoughts dude, respect

[@keithatchley8075]

love this!! It's everything I have been tired of seeing in the U.S. since our last presidential election

[@marshamilton357]

My God!