No Gravity

by Rudy Francisco

In honor of national poetry month, during the month of April, poets across the globe participate in an activity called "30 for 30." It involves writing 1 poem for every day of the month. In 2015, Rudy Francisco decided to take on the challenge. After the task was completed, he published the poems in the form of a chapbook and chose to call it "No Gravity."

Genres: Poetry, Fiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Rudy Francisco was born and raised in San Diego, California. At the age of 21, Rudy completed his B.A in Psychology and decided to continue his education by pursuing a MA in Organizational Leadership. As an artist, Rudy Francisco combines activism and poetry to enlighten the minds of those who witness his performance. Rudy eloquently absorbs the experiences of those around him, synthesizes them and converts their stories into poetry. Furthermore, Rudy has made conscious efforts to cultivate young poets and expose the youth to the genre of Spoken Word Poetry through workshops and performances at schools and community centers. Rudy has also received admiration from institutions of higher education. He has conducted guest lectures and performances at numerous colleges and universities around the nation.

In addition to his contributions to education, Rudy Francisco is also the co-host of the largest poetry venue in San Diego and has featured at countless venues and won the hearts of many with the honesty and conviction held in his words. Ultimately, Rudy's goal is to continue to assist others in harnessing their creativity while cultivating his own. Rudy Francisco is the 2009 National Underground Poetry Slam Champion, the 2010 San Diego Grand Slam Champion, the 2010 San Francisco Grand Slam Champion and the 2010 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is one of the most talented poets I have ever read. Without question. Read this book, STAT!

[India M. Clamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

…Some will find a doorway
Or crawl underneath a desk
And wait for the ground
To be comfortable where it unfurls.
The latter, is how the patient survives…"

[Safia · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I write best when I am either, falling in love, or falling apart.”

Rudy Francisco is slowly becoming one of my favorite spoken word poets.
His poetry is therapy for my soul. I'm forever thankful to my friend who first introduced me to his words.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy is a master at his craft. He can take simple phrase or metaphor and turn it into the most profound piece of prose.

I would recommend this poetry collection to fans of Rudy’s other poetry collections.

[danicatalyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear self,
today, your laugh is a
wild flock of wind chimes.
It exists the way happiness should,
feral, loud,
and allergic to apology.

[Mohammed Taha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rudy being rudy.. if you love the mans writing style it'll be a quick fix.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read, and after reading Fly Away by Fransisco it seems like it was a work in progress. Still worth the read.

[elsewhere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetry collection on blackness and existence, on mornings and shadows, and on privilege and smoke.

[Tierra Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is one of my favorite spoken word poets. I absolutely loved his book Helium, so I decided to give this book a read. I read this book in a matter of minutes, so it really is a quick read. I loved the poems "stardom" and "hunted" as they felt authentic to the harsh realities of the black experience. I was expecting a little more from this book, but I would still recommend if you like his poetry style!

[Leila · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some very powerful pieces scattered throughout, but I didn't connect with them all in the same way.

[Melony Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this all in a matter of minutes. Rudy Francisco will always be my favorite poet. However, I'm disappointed in this book. I was expecting more. The poems where entirely too short. I wish it were longer.

[Chris Burd · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Rudy Francisco's poetry is best enjoyed as the spoken word performances he is known for, the written form can still take your breath away. Do yourself a favor and acquaint yourself with this brilliant young man's words.

[Jordan Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that I wish this had been longer. Rudy Francisco's poetry is addicting, in the best possible way. Off in search of more of his work now...

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked 90% of the poems within this collection however I wasn't a fan of how the collection had been put together. This is the first time I've read a collection that wasn't curated around a particular topic of feeling and instead had been put together just based on when the poems were written and it unfortunately didn't work for me, the flow did not seem to be there. However because I like so many of the poems I am really interested in reading a more curated collection from the author!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm still learning to love the parts of myself that no one claps for."
I knew Rudy was amazing when I purchased this book for my school library. I knew he spoke a different kind of language that each person could hear in their own way. He's brilliant. I'm impressed he was able to write one poem each day for 30 days and create a winner, a killer, a monument each day. Fantastic job, sir. We're all behind you.

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book after devouring Helium which I received as a NetGalley ARC and adored. Francisco’s oeuvre is not long and I decided to purchase his other books. After reading this book I can see how he has matured as a poet. I liked this book a lot and it has a handful of gems amidst the 30 poems contained within its pages. Not bad.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recent discovered Rudy through Button Poetry video posts on Facebook, and I am SO excited to have found him. His voice, his poetry is electric. He’s passionate about everything he writes. You can hear it when he performs, you can read it on the page...I am just blown away. Can’t wait to read his other publications.

[Jovana Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this collection but it's not nearly as dear to my heart as some other books so 3/5.

I am always down for indie poetry but not every collection is going to blow me away.

I Will probably pick up another poetry book to figure out if this writer suits my reading taste. Nothing more I can say about this book, it is short so you might want to check it out and see.

[DonLou · Rating 4 out of 5]

19.01.2020
4🌟 (Ebook)
I think I just love Rudy Francisco.
His poetry is modern and I'm beginning to believe that this style of poetry isn't for me, but the way he writes makes me forget that.
He writes about love, loss, race, and mental health and he does it in such a way that makes me feel everything he's saying in the depths of my soul.
Truly loved this. Highly recommend.

-DL

[Liam Mongie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poets today aren’t treated like the gloried ones of past.

Rudy Francisco continues to deliver with amazing poems that captivate but don’t throw issues at your face. The poems confront systemic problems ingrained in our society in a way that is eye opening to anyone not POC.

This is a great read, and an even better expression of modern healthy masculinity.

[Joe Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is great. Check him out on YouTube for longer spoken word poems. This collection is very different in that the poems are VERY short. It's accessible for all readers, even those intimidated by poetry.

[Jasmine McNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Always an inspiration to read and hear Rudy's work. Five stars all around. I am excited for Helium and I hope it will be available on kindle!

[Evon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny chapbook: the paper feels good, the type is delicious, and the words...the words are memorable and still beating in my heart.

[Kayla Schwab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This poet has the most amazing way with words. I love every second of reading his poetry. Thank you, Rudy.

[Jaredith Mize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved “Helium”, so I ordered this on Amazon and was not disappointed! Short book, but definitely worth picking up. My favorites were “Hourglass”, “Speak”, and “Privilege”.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far one of my favorite Spoken Word poets.

[Vytou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is becoming one of my favourite spoken word poet! He has such an amazing talent with words, a must read.

[Gussie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is one of my favorite poets. If you watch one of his live readings on YouTube, I guarantee you'll enjoy his poetry.

[Hannibal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet. More of Rudy's goodness.

[Łukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius.