Rudy Francisco
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.
“I was toldThe average girl begins to plan her wedding at the age of 7She picks the colors and the cake firstBy the age of 10 She knows time,And locationBy 17She’s already chosen a gown2 bridesmaidsAnd a maid of honorBy 23 She’s waiting for a manWho wont break out in hives when he hears the word “commitment”Someone who doesn’t smell like a Band-Aid drenched in lonely Someone who isn’t a temporary solution to the empty side of the bedSomeoneWho’ll hold her hand like it’s the only one they’ve ever seenTo be honestI don’t know what kind of tux I’ll be wearingI have no clue what want my wedding will look likeBut I imagineThe women who pins my last to hersWill butterfly down the aisleLike a 5 foot promiseI imagineHer smileWill be so large that you’ll see it on google mapsAnd know exactly where our wedding is being heldThe woman that I plan to marryWill have champagne in her walkAnd I will get drunk on her footstepsWhen the pastor asksIf I take this woman to be my wifeI will say yes before he finishes the sentenceI’ll apologize later for being impoliteBut I will also explain himThat our first kiss happened 6 years agoAnd I’ve been practicing my “Yes”For past 2, 165 daysWhen people ask me about my weddingI never really know what to sayBut when they ask me about my future wifeI always tell themHer eyes are the only Christmas lights that deserve to be seen all year longI sayShe thinks too muchMisses her fatherLoves to laughAnd she’s terrible at lyingBecause her face never figured out how to do it correctlI tell themIf my alarm clock sounded like her voiceMy snooze button would collect dust I tell themIf she came in a bottleI would drink her until my vision is blurry and my friends take away my keysIf she was a bookI would memorize her table of contentsI would read her cover-to-coverHoping to find typosJust so we can both have a few things to work onBecause aren’t we all unfinished?Don’t we all need a little editing?Aren’t we all waiting to be proofread by someone?Aren’t we all praying they will tell us that we make sense She don’t always make senseBut her imperfections are the things I love about her the mostI don’t know when I will be marriedI don’t know where I will be marriedBut I do know thisWhenever I’m asked about my future wifeI always say…She’s a lot like you”
“You want to know how I got these scars. I swallowed my pride and then it crawled its way out of my mouth.”
“Aren't we all waiting to be read by someone, praying that they'll tell us that we make sense?”
“I loved you the same way that I learned how to ride a bike: Scared… but reckless.”
“She is my musician, and me, I’m her favorite song.”
“Failure is when you talk yourself out of becoming something amazing.”