I'll Fly Away

Rudy Francisco, 2020

In his stunningly intimate, highly anticipated follow up to Helium, Rudy Francisco has created a collection of poems that savor the day-to-day, treating it as worship, turning it into an opportunity to plant new seeds of growth.

Language so often fails us, but Francisco has found his way around this as he creates his own words for the things our language cannot give name to.

“Felenter (Noun) Definition: Someone who finds joy in things that people believe to be mundane.”

Using fascinating metaphors to convey common emotional states these poems are an act of remembrance, and an act of believing that you dear reader, are a celebration waiting for the lights to come up.

Awards

2021 Goodreads Choice Awards - Nominee
2022 Feathered Quill Book Awards - Bronze (Poetry)

Praise for Rudy Francisco

"Francisco’s poetry collection isn’t one to miss this year. I’ll Fly Away is divided into multiple parts, sprinkled with words that do not currently exist in the English language, but should, setting a thematic tone for the poems that follow. Though many poems are short, they pack a poignant, powerful gut punch of an emotional landing. Intimate, creative, and vulnerable, Francisco reflects on topics of identity, race, police brutality, family, and so much more. It’s a relevant and unflinchingly honest collection of thoughtful poetry."

— BuzzFeed

"What Rudy Francisco has done in I’ll Fly Away (Button Poetry) is to build a language where one did not exist. These are new words needed in these new times to help coalesce these ancient feelings. Thank you for reminding us that even if Language doesn’t make sense, it may still define you."

— The Poetry Question

"Not satisfied with the English lexicon, Francisco's I'll Fly Away is staged by a series of invented words which he then strives to define and put into context. It's a delightfully creative thesaurus to browse through with deep ponderings on life in America as a black father, a poet, and a teacher. There's something just uplifting about Francisco's poetry, its effusive & direct approach, its hope. Much like a hot air balloon, this collection will blow you away."

— Nuha F, Netgalley ARC reviewer

"Heartfelt, soft, and absolutely beautiful! Every single poem makes you feel something, it makes you feel less alien, less alone, provides you with a safe haven, and a sense of comfort. His poems make you think and remember, they make you smile and move something inside. Reading this book is a wholesome experience."

— Anonymous, Goodreads Review