Every port that has graced this stage, this page, has had a powerful impact on me, BUT there is something about when RUDY speaks my thoughts just leave the room , my self consciousness re-awakens and I realize the true power of words…
I’m pissed with my own self that I’ve just discovered this man. This gives me hope that further generations aren’t lost. His genius resonates inside of humble. I can’t say I’ve felt this way since Sylvia Plath and T.S. Eliot.
Needed this. Heck, the world needed/needs this. As someone whose default setting alternates between unwarranted negativity and crippling pessimism, I'm going to try and remind myself to listen to this at least once a day from now on
I think that it’s important to understand the severity of your pain, though. Not only that, but when we lose sight of gratitude, we quickly begin to only see pain in our lives. We have a lot of control in how we experience what happens in our lives. I’m not saying we should shove our feelings down, but we should put them into perspective. Two things can be true at once. You can acknowledge your pain and be grateful that your problems are so minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
Rudy's words are like grenades, they always blow my mind. Did I just hear that the heartbeat beats 4k times per hour?! Something much make it memorable!
You are always allowed to have a bad day. You are always allowed to feel bad. It doesn't matter if someone tells you that its worse for other people, you aren't other people. You are allowed to complain.
People that asked me to talk about my trauma like it’s just as easy as talking about my trauma, I realize they’re not worth listening to it. Only people that sit and hold my hands wrapped me in their arms and when I try to escape hold me even tighter and whisper I love you I’m not gonna hurt you I love you I’m not gonna hurt you I love you I’m not gonna hurt you deserve to hear me try to take the horrors this body has felt and put it into words just so you can get 10% of the scope of what I’ve gone through
❤️🔥 “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I'm not going to make it, but you laugh inside, remembering all the times you've felt that way.” ❤️🔥 ~ Charles Bukowski 😎
The following are true stories. May 26th 2003 Aron Ralston was hiking, a boulder fell on his right hand. He waited four days, then amputated his arm with a pocket knife. On New Year’s Eve, a woman was bungee jumping in Zimbabwe. The cord broke, she then fell into a river and had to swim back to land in crocodile infested waters with a broken collarbone. Claire Champlin was smashed in the face by a five pound watermelon being propelled by a slingshot. Matthew Brobst was hit by a javelin. David Striegl was punched in the mouth. By a kangaroo. The most amazing part about these stories is when asked about the experience they all smiled, shrugged, and said “I guess things could have been worse.” So go ahead. Tell me that you’re having a bad day. Tell me about the traffic. Tell me about your boss. Tell me about the job you’ve been trying to quit for the past four years. Tell me the morning is just a town house burning to the ground and the snooze button is a fire extinguisher. Tell me the alarm clock stole the keys to your smile, drove it into 7:00 AM, and the crash totaled your happiness. Tell me! Tell me! Tell me, how blessed are we to have tragedies so small it can fit on the tips of our tongues? You see, when Evan lost his legs he was speechless. When my cousin was assaulted, she didn’t speak for forty eight hours. When my uncle was murdered, we had to send out a search party to find my father’s voice. Most people have no idea that tragedy and silence have the exact same address. When your day is a museum of disappointments hanging from events that were outside of your control, when you find yourself flailing in an ocean of “Why is this happening to me?”, when it feels like your guardian angel put in his two week notice two months ago and just decided not to tell you, when it feels like God is just a babysitter that’s always on the phone, when you get punched in the esophagus by a fistful of life, remember that every year two million people die of dehydration so it doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty, there’s water in the cup. Drink it, and stop complaining. Muscle is created by repeatedly lifting things that have been designed to weigh us down. So when your shoulders feel heavy, stand up straight and lift your chin - call it exercise. When the world crumbles around you, you have to look at the wreckage and then build a new one out of the pieces that are still here. Remember, you are still here. The human heart beats approximately four thousand times per hour. Each pulse, each throb, each palpitation is a trophy engraved with the words “You are still alive”. You are still alive. Act like it.
Seriously? Okay, i agree with all of this. What he says, what he's observed, most definitely i agree. But... people dont listen. I am surrounded by complainers and negativity and no matter how subtly, or boldly i acknowledge it, people wont listen. Self importance is king, over feelings and consideration for others. And this will kill me. This, i cannot change... so suffice to say that the cringe level is just absurd. Finally i want to say- Sometimes problems, no matter how much you disagree and throw worthless "hope" and etc, etc, etc out there... sometimes problems have no solution. You just have to accept this fact and cut your losses. Truth though, some people do change. But just not that i have seen.
As always, an awesome piece. However, I don't quite like the message of this one. Different people have different issues in their lives, and people have to vent. They should be able to do so without being hit in the face with stories of people who have it worse. Remember: The job someone tries to quit (but can't) might be their crocodile-infested river.
But someone managed to swim through it. The other half of the poem is that if we're breathing, we can overcome it. Notice he's mainly giving examples of trivial 1st world problems. He's not giving examples of grieving mothers and quadrapledics then immediately saying for them to drink whatevers left. When faced with tragedy, ppl respond with "it could've been worse" or with silence because how gripping the tragedy is.
I like the passion but not the message. Pain is pain, and the pain one feels is valid since they are the ones experiencing and are impacting by it. Regardless of other "benefits", they may have in their life. They have a right to grieve it and not be forced to "shrug it off because someone else has it 'worse' " Very dismissive.
As a clinically depressed person that knows what it feels like to have days in which you don't even care if there's a "cup" to drink from, thank you for saying that.
I see where you’re coming from, but for someone with emotional disregulation we make mountains from molehills and our emotions are constantly out of proportion. Sometimes I need to remember my problem is tiny, and doesn’t need an emotional explosion. It’s the reality check I know I’ve needed every day for 3 years.
Its about reframing. Toxic positivity is about pretending things away or refusing to acknowledge that bad things can happen. Rudy is saying not everything is a crisis, but absolutely cites several crises and acknowledges them as such in the poem.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
Want more Rudy in your life? Get the limited edition, new cover version of HELIUM here: bit.ly/rudyheliumltd
Rudy Francisco’s poems are always a blessing. “Tell me how blessed are we to have tragedies so small it can fit on the tips of our tongues”
Couldn't agree more, his poetry is indeed a blessing.
"Most people have no idea that tragedy and silence have the exact same address" beautiful💙
"it doesnt matter if the glass is half full or half empty, there's water in the cup" holy shit............rudy francisco never disappoints
I remember hearing this years ago and it still hits the same
Ikr
Couldn't agree more
Every port that has graced this stage, this page, has had a powerful impact on me, BUT there is something about when RUDY speaks my thoughts just leave the room , my self consciousness re-awakens and I realize the true power of words…
I’m pissed with my own self that I’ve just discovered this man. This gives me hope that further generations aren’t lost. His genius resonates inside of humble. I can’t say I’ve felt this way since Sylvia Plath and T.S. Eliot.
Rudy masters poetry like a potter does clay. He brings it to life
Needed this. Heck, the world needed/needs this. As someone whose default setting alternates between unwarranted negativity and crippling pessimism, I'm going to try and remind myself to listen to this at least once a day from now on
I think that it’s important to understand the severity of your pain, though. Not only that, but when we lose sight of gratitude, we quickly begin to only see pain in our lives. We have a lot of control in how we experience what happens in our lives. I’m not saying we should shove our feelings down, but we should put them into perspective. Two things can be true at once. You can acknowledge your pain and be grateful that your problems are so minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
This will always be one of my favorites
My favorite poet of all time 🙏
"Remember we are never, ever given anything that we can't handle!!"
Haven't heard spoken word in years. And I just watch one of Rudy Francisco's videos and immediately remembered why I love it so much! 💖
I'll never complain another day in my life!
Fuck, I feel called out and put in my place. I needed this. Thank you!
One of the first here you've got to love Rudy for this one all the support from Zambia 🇿🇲❤
Happy birthday, Rudy!!
This one poem of his always hits the hardest. And is a great great reminder to live life.
'You're alive, so act like it' my psyche needed this and I love Rudy Francisco s work
You are amazing. Thank you. 😊
You are!
I’ve got a tattoo inspired by this poem, and another inspired by “The Heart and Fist”. Your poetry speaks words the world needs to hear.
His book Helium is so good
Rudy's words are like grenades, they always blow my mind. Did I just hear that the heartbeat beats 4k times per hour?! Something much make it memorable!
always one of my favourites 💕
You are always allowed to have a bad day. You are always allowed to feel bad. It doesn't matter if someone tells you that its worse for other people, you aren't other people. You are allowed to complain.
This deserves to be here 🤩❤️ You rock Rudy ❤️
I have a love hate relationship with this poem. I mean I get what's he's trying for but Sir, no let's not.
Well said.
When I listen to “Drowning Fish” I wonder if *he* has a love/hate relationship with this poem. And that’s on being alive I suppose.
He's soo goood😭😭😭❤️❤️
I needed to hear this today. Thank you Rudy!!
Holy cow! Think I need this as my ringtone! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
People that asked me to talk about my trauma like it’s just as easy as talking about my trauma, I realize they’re not worth listening to it. Only people that sit and hold my hands wrapped me in their arms and when I try to escape hold me even tighter and whisper I love you I’m not gonna hurt you I love you I’m not gonna hurt you I love you I’m not gonna hurt you deserve to hear me try to take the horrors this body has felt and put it into words just so you can get 10% of the scope of what I’ve gone through
This was wonderful. Thank you, I needed to be reminded.
This is amazing.
I needed this so bad.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Rudy 🤎
❤️🔥
“Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think,
I'm not going to make it,
but you laugh inside,
remembering all the times you've felt that way.”
❤️🔥
~ Charles Bukowski 😎
Impressive.
i needed this 🕳️
Babe wake up new Rudy poem
The following are true stories.
May 26th 2003 Aron Ralston was hiking, a boulder fell on his right hand. He waited four days, then amputated his arm with a pocket knife.
On New Year’s Eve, a woman was bungee jumping in Zimbabwe. The cord broke, she then fell into a river and had to swim back to land in crocodile infested waters with a broken collarbone.
Claire Champlin was smashed in the face by a five pound watermelon being propelled by a slingshot.
Matthew Brobst was hit by a javelin.
David Striegl was punched in the mouth. By a kangaroo.
The most amazing part about these stories is when asked about the experience they all smiled, shrugged, and said “I guess things could have been worse.”
So go ahead.
Tell me that you’re having a bad day.
Tell me about the traffic. Tell me about your boss. Tell me about the job you’ve been trying to quit for the past four years. Tell me the morning is just a town house burning to the ground and the snooze button is a fire extinguisher. Tell me the alarm clock stole the keys to your smile, drove it into 7:00 AM, and the crash totaled your happiness.
Tell me! Tell me!
Tell me, how blessed are we to have tragedies so small it can fit on the tips of our tongues?
You see, when Evan lost his legs he was speechless. When my cousin was assaulted, she didn’t speak for forty eight hours. When my uncle was murdered, we had to send out a search party to find my father’s voice.
Most people have no idea that tragedy and silence have the exact same address.
When your day is a museum of disappointments hanging from events that were outside of your control, when you find yourself flailing in an ocean of “Why is this happening to me?”, when it feels like your guardian angel put in his two week notice two months ago and just decided not to tell you, when it feels like God is just a babysitter that’s always on the phone, when you get punched in the esophagus by a fistful of life, remember that every year two million people die of dehydration so it doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty, there’s water in the cup.
Drink it, and stop complaining.
Muscle is created by repeatedly lifting things that have been designed to weigh us down. So when your shoulders feel heavy, stand up straight and lift your chin - call it exercise. When the world crumbles around you, you have to look at the wreckage and then build a new one out of the pieces that are still here.
Remember, you are still here.
The human heart beats approximately four thousand times per hour.
Each pulse, each throb, each palpitation is a trophy engraved with the words “You are still alive”.
You are still alive.
Act like it.
1st ❤️
When I first clicked this i honestly thought it was gonna be a stand up comedy act.
,Take -ve experiences as experiences to laugh about in future.
Seriously? Okay, i agree with all of this. What he says, what he's observed, most definitely i agree. But...
people dont listen. I am surrounded by complainers and negativity and no matter how subtly, or boldly i acknowledge it, people wont listen.
Self importance is king, over feelings and consideration for others. And this will kill me. This, i cannot change... so suffice to say that the cringe level is just absurd.
Finally i want to say-
Sometimes problems, no matter how much you disagree and throw worthless "hope" and etc, etc, etc out there...
sometimes problems have no solution.
You just have to accept this fact and cut your losses.
Truth though, some people do change. But just not that i have seen.
As always, an awesome piece. However, I don't quite like the message of this one. Different people have different issues in their lives, and people have to vent. They should be able to do so without being hit in the face with stories of people who have it worse. Remember: The job someone tries to quit (but can't) might be their crocodile-infested river.
But someone managed to swim through it. The other half of the poem is that if we're breathing, we can overcome it. Notice he's mainly giving examples of trivial 1st world problems. He's not giving examples of grieving mothers and quadrapledics then immediately saying for them to drink whatevers left. When faced with tragedy, ppl respond with "it could've been worse" or with silence because how gripping the tragedy is.
I like the passion but not the message. Pain is pain, and the pain one feels is valid since they are the ones experiencing and are impacting by it. Regardless of other "benefits", they may have in their life. They have a right to grieve it and not be forced to "shrug it off because someone else has it 'worse' " Very dismissive.
Yeah, this is my least favorite poem of his. Emotional invalidation sucks.
As a clinically depressed person that knows what it feels like to have days in which you don't even care if there's a "cup" to drink from, thank you for saying that.
I see where you’re coming from, but for someone with emotional disregulation we make mountains from molehills and our emotions are constantly out of proportion. Sometimes I need to remember my problem is tiny, and doesn’t need an emotional explosion. It’s the reality check I know I’ve needed every day for 3 years.
As much as I love Rudy's other work, this is sending an awful message. Emotional invalidation is a toxic trait.
Rudy is cool but i hate this poem. Like this is toxic positivity at its finest.
Its about reframing. Toxic positivity is about pretending things away or refusing to acknowledge that bad things can happen. Rudy is saying not everything is a crisis, but absolutely cites several crises and acknowledges them as such in the poem.