Getting Stitches

by Rudy Francisco

"Getting Stitches" is Rudy Francisco's first chapbook. It consists of 16 poems. The collection is an exploration of human experience. It's a journey of introspection, acknowledgement and growth. It is both laughter and heartbreak, honesty and sarcasm, faith and questions. It's confident, awkward and everything in between. It's falling apart, being stitched up and hoping the wounds heal properly.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2013

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

[Lighty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like when you wait so long for something to happen and then it does but it's much better than you ever imagined.
you close your eyes at the end of each poem, and it's there, the dip of the stomach.
it was an amazing experience, this book is a gift. in more ways than one.
:)

[Alyssa Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets one less star because it is Too. Short.

[Carly Smoot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I have loved Rudy Francisco as a spoken word poet for sometime and was really excited that he published some of his poetry. He is a master of metaphor and I love him for it. The reason I didn't rate this book higher, was not that the content wasn't good, it's great, but the book felt so short and left me wanting a lot more poetry from him. I also feel like, if you love Rudy, you know his poems are good on paper, but they are really meant to be seen performed. Other than that, I thought it was a good read, it was just way too short.

[Ana Gaston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Francisco but this poem collection left so much to be desired. What was good- was really good. His metaphors make you do a double take and his descriptions of emotions put words to indescribable feelings. One the other hand, this was severely under-edited. Almost every single poem had a typo significant enough i had to reread to understand what he was saying. There were also poems with powerful endings but lacking middle sections. The book felt unfinished or rushed and as a result had moments within poems that were trite, a critique I normally wouldn’t make for Francisco. I was underwhelmed.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rudy is one of my favorite spoken word poets, but I actually wasn't in love with all of the poems in Getting Stitches. There were some good poems, a couple great poems—but too often there were poems that had beautiful moments undercut by disappointingly cliché moments.

For example, in "Poem for Ashley" (which is my favorite in the collection) he examines the unhealthy marriage of his friend Ashley. It's wonderfully written, but he loses me when he says, she "Hasn't realized a relationship/ between a unicorn and a dragon/ is destined for failure." That analogy felt like a stretch. Then I have a little whiplash when he follows that line with "she will have to read her bruises like instructions"—which is think is so well put.

His poems are supposed to be performed—so I'll give it that. However, so much of his language didn't thrill me like I know it can. Overall this book was worth the read, but wasn't entirely the gem I was hoping for.

[Kellen Foord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every poem I read! Rudy has an amazing gift of being able to totally captivate you with his words :)

[Christina Hopp · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly lackluster poetry book. I wasn't expecting that from Rudy. Soooo many typoes and every poem left a lot to be desired.

2 stars for some of the analogies/lines that I really enjoyed. Here are a couple:

"I believe masculinity is a wet fish
that most men are just trying to hold onto"

"I tell them,
if she came in a bottle,
I would drink her
until my vision is blurry
and my friends take away my keys."

[Martina.2817 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know three of these at heart. Rudy has been a fundamental part of my shaping.
Favourite lines:
I can smell Dante’s inferno on your breath.
I carved galaxies in the back of my throat
Just to make your world easier for me to swallow,
But I can’t stand the taste of your behaviour.
[ ]But I know even if I killed you, there are still millions of monsters out there pretending to be men.

[McClain Felty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is a great poet to start with for people who think poetry is lofty and confusing (like I do).I found this book to be easily accessible and conversational and it helped me realize poetry isn’t just end rhyme or a thousand musings on the color beige personified as a human.

[Muzette Alcocer Spine After Spine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Rudy Francisco since I saw him do a spoken word performance. I didn't realize he had already published a book before the book "Helium". I love his views and the way he expresses himself.

[Emily Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite poem "A Lot Like You" is included in this collection. Rudy is too good with the metaphors that it makes me writer-jealous.

[Pamala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just what I needed. I love most of the poems here, it's not pretentious but it digs in my soul.

[Christy kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco wrote 16 captivating poems that he fit on to 40 short pages. So many feels. I'm a fan.

[Conall Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing writing.....

[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.

[Rawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rudy Fransisco. I truly think he's the male version of me and for that, this book is precious.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rudy Francisco's pictures. All the feels

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy Francisco is one of the best spoken word poets. My favorites from this collection include "Definitions", "I Thought You Only Dated White Girls", and "To the Graduating Class of UC San Diego".

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first poem of Rudy’s I ever came across is in this book. Turning Tables. Still know it by heart to this day.

[Evelyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[Jkrulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francisco's poetry is easily accessible and relatable. Makes for excellent mentor texts for writing your own poems.

[Bethie3boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite poetry books. Beautifully written and enjoyable to read over and over again!!

[Namayanja]

I haven't read it yet

[Helen Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Truth
is everything you tell yourself when you realize you are the only one still paying attention”

[Shar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this collection five stars even though it is so short, because it's so raw, and so beautiful. It doesn't contain some of his most recent work; but the poems it does have are moving, and very raw. His metaphors are amazing. Rudy Francisco is a joy to watch, and read.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another poetry book from Rudy that I loved, I just wish it was longer!

I love his poetry and can’t get enough of it. All his poems have certain lines that make my heart stop and his poetry opens me up to new perspectives of the world. Can’t ask for anything more from a writer.

[A.L. DeLeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best little books of poetry I've read in a long time. Makes you think, makes you reflect on things differently than you might have before. Loved it.

[Maria Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was way too short but I will forgive him because I love him.

[Kevin Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing metaphors and imagery