I'll Fly Away

By Rudy Francisco

2023 Midwest Book Awards Finalist
2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards Bronze Medal Winner
2021 Goodreads Choice Awards - Nominee

Language so often fails us.

In his highly anticipated follow up to Helium, Francisco has created his own words for the things we cannot give name to.

English is the shiniest hammer
I own, but it's also
the only thing in my toolbox.

Nolexi noun
no·lex·i | \ nō-lek-si \
Definition of nolexi:
1 : a word or phrase that does not exist or has no direct translation in a particular language


I'll Fly Away uses Francisco's invented lexicon as the palette to paint an intimate portrait of Black life in America — one that praises joy and grace without shying away from the hard truths confronting all of us today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Button Poetry
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781943735884

Rudy Francisco

Rudy Francisco is one of the most recognizable names in Spoken Word Poetry. At the age of 21, Rudy completed his B.A in Psychology and decided to continue his education by pursuing a M.A in Organizational Studies. As an artist, Rudy Francisco is an amalgamation of social critique, introspection, honesty and humor. He uses personal narratives to discuss the politics of race, class, gender and religion while simultaneously pinpointing and reinforcing the interconnected nature of human existence.

Book preview

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The only thing we are good at is stopping ourselves from saying

I’LL FLY AWAY

POEMS BY

Rudy Francisco

© 2020 by Rudy Francisco

Published by Button Poetry / Exploding Pinecone Press

Minneapolis, MN 55403 | http://www.buttonpoetry.com

All Rights Reserved

Manufactured in the United States of America

Cover design: Nikki Clark

ISBN 978-1-943735-69-3

Ebook ISBN 978-1-943735-88-4

Contents

Mama Saba asks

This is how I scare the dirt

Legend has it

And maybe we all know a Ricky

What I know is this

My parents

Divorce is a stubborn grease fire

Love can bea reckless child

Perhaps I told you I was leaving

I

I’ll Fly Away (Erasure)

The poem where I lie about everything

Most of what I know

Sometimes I’m the mess

Drowning Fish

Afterwards

2009 (Erasure)

Here I am today

I wish you a checkered flag

I once held on to a grudge

I want the kind of happiness

There are people

Ode to the block button

Have you ever noticed

Throughout most of my childhood

Seventeen

II

Perfect (Erasure)

You are a strange kind of beautiful

How

If you find yourself

When you walk into the room

I hope the camera gods bless you with a steady hand

A lot like you

Golden Girls Theme Song (Erasure)

III

Miranda Rights (Erasure)

It is the year 2036

Speak

NRA Statement on Texas, Ohio Tragedies

NRA Statement on Texas, Ohio Tragedies (Erasure)

Click

Climate Change

I watched the viral videoof the police officer

Alternate endings for the black movies that I can’t stop watching

When they say he is black

Instructions for black people

To the Black Donald Trump Supporters

Let’s just say

I remember when this neighborhood was an orchard

The youth choir sings "I believe

Reviews for I'll Fly Away

[Whit Gatewood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Francisco writes with inspired use of language and humor. You will laugh and cry and read that poem again. The erasure poems are brilliant. And his coining of new words is in the same vein of the Bard himself.

[Bryana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the most incredible collections of poetry I’ve ever read. I’ve been a fan of Rudy Francisco for many years and to see both of his projects become such delightful reads is exhilarating to say the least. Please read this book if you want to see a different part of a poetry is.

[Natasha ng'ambi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best poetry books I have read. I learned some new words from reading it. Thank you Rudy

[Jesujuwon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rudy has done it again♥️!! While I think I loved Helium more, I definitely thoroughly enjoyed this. It's time for a second read??.