4.5 Stars

My reflections on each part. 

I

Rudy Francisco is a ray of light with hopeful, humorous words and a positive outlook. There’s a light-hearted banter here that in no way diminishes the quality or meaning of his message.

His poems still talk of new love, of a life unfinished, and of finding his way, but there is something refreshing about the way he writes.

II

As good as he is at writing about optimism, he’s even better at writing about loss. His poems Vanish, Scars, and Museum struck a cord with me. This section is bleak in the best way. Rudy’s able to look at or experience a situation and beautifully, sometimes metaphorically, emotionalize it. From the few spoken word videos of his I’ve seen, I wasn’t expecting this. But I loved it. 

III

I would call this the social issues section but that seems to trivialize how inspired and real these pieces are. Topics range from racism to masculinity and more. Rudy makes his experiences relatable, his thoughts coherent, and his verses flow in this section. 

IV

A few last thoughts, a quick look at family, and a wrap up of a great collection of poetry.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The first poem I heard from the poet was his spoken word performance of Adrenaline Rush (this piece is in the book, it's a favourite!) and I have been a fan since. I was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint. He touched on a few delicate topics in a way that did not feel overplayed or pretentious. 

A few pieces that stood out to me:
Horizon
My Honest Poem
Museum
To You
Skin II
Adrenaline Rush
Rifle II
Mercy
Strength 
Welcome
Yes

"I am learning that the difference 
between a garden and a graveyard is only what 
you choose to put in the ground.

One day, 
I came across a picture of a strange-looking violin. 
The caption said it was made out of a 
rifle 
and I was like, 

someday 
that can be me."

- Rudy Francisco, excerpt from Rifle II,
   Helium

I am in love with this book. I read this full of tears and feelings in my chest. This might be the best poetry I have read this year.

A nice read. But just some of the poems were really special.

I absolutely loved this collection. Some poems really let me think. Some poems really let me feel. Some poems did both. I would recommend it if you liked The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace.

I love how raw and honest this collection. Some of it was deep and an eye-opener.

I received a free advanced digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my opinion, rating, or review

One of the things I loved the most about this collection of poetry is how it is both personal and a political commentary.I frequently found myself bookmarking poems and re-reading them to fully catch all the details hidden within.

This book seemed very personal and I really liked a lot of the themes that showed up throughout the book. 

I didn’t love every single poem, but there were many beautiful lines, and I appreciate the thought that went into it.

Normally, when I review book, I have a rating in mind the moment I set it down. Helium, though, was different. I had such conflicting thoughts on it, that I forced myself to sit back, and to ask myself what I had problems with it. And, when I really thought about it, my main problem was the organization. Otherwise, I found the poems to be thought provoking and meaningful, and my e-copy of the book is very heavily highlighted. I actually ended up using a stanza as my senior quote this year, which I wasn't even expecting.

So, with the organization, the book was separated into chunks, parts, and there were four of them. The sections had no defined theme, and I found some of them to vary around, or even repeat themes that were already discussed. I didn't mind the poems, oh no, it's just that I didn't get what Francisco was getting at. What was really frustrating was how there were sections that had clear themes (like the second one focused on Francisco's relationship with a woman), but then others would jump all over the place.

I found the rest of the collection enthralling. Some of the poems were really inspirational and hard-hitting and I wanted more of that. Like I said, I ended up using a stanza as my senior quote, just because I found myself relating so much to his words. There were some poems that I really didn't care for (like the ones about his relationship. But, that's me, personally), but otherwise I wanted more poems like that. Francisco kind of made me look at poetry differently, because I've only ever seen two types of poetry before this: stuff that tries to be all deep and meaningful and just turns out to be a jumble of words, or poems that

read
like
this,

one word at a time, not really making these words anything more than words. Francisco changed that though. Poems can still be meaningful but not a jumble of words. Poems don't have to be one word a line to make sense either.

Final Rating: ★★★★☆

Overall?

For a book that I randomly chose off NetGalley, I'm really impressed! While I personally had struggles with the organization, and disliked a few of the poems, I overall found myself enjoying the collection and am interested in reading more of Rudy Francisco's works!

Would I Recommend?

If you like poetry, I would totally suggest this one! Not only is it thought provoking, but it was really interesting, and I wish there had been more to enjoy.

I'm a major fan of Button Poetry and their authors, Rudy Francisco's Helium proved to be another substantive collection from them. The first poem was a brief taste of some of the important issues this collection would touch upon. that would come. Francisco's poems were strongest when discussing depression, race, and toxic masculinity. The starting romantic poems were sweet and not very filling but subsequent sections led to deeper and more moving poems. The only place where I felt he truly lost me was Complainers because of its tough love message that did not make room for my experience as a disabled woman. However, the other references to depression and life's difficulties had heart so it was just a brief disappointment amongst a number of more nuanced poems.

Wow! If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. This book made me think and actually FEEL (literally got goosebumps and teary a few times, too). Although I cannot relate to every single piece in this book I could still appreciate and feel the rawness expressed and how personal each piece was. I will most definitely be adding this book to my bookshelf so I can read this over and over again. Found myself a new favorite book!

I had not read or heard much of Rudy Francisco's poetry before, but I am a fan of many of the poets associated with Button Poetry. I really enjoyed reading his poems and being shown how everyday life can be affected by just the color of your skin. I will definitely be reading more of his works and would recommend this book to anyone.

This was such a delight to read. Rudy Francisco writes straightforward, vulnerable poetry that could best be described as ‘well-intentioned sucker punches’.
Francisco addresses his own struggles in this collection, at times self-deprecating, at others so unflinchingly honest it feels uncomfortable to read. But especially the poems tackling social issues were heart-breaking and eye-opening. It’s frightening how on-point Francisco describes issues of masculinity and sexism in our society. He does not shy away from calling out the perpetuation of toxic masculinity.
Francisco also addresses how others keep searching for the next adrenaline kick, the craziest challenge, the punch of fear mixed with excitement while he is forced to fear for his life every day because of racism.
It seems that no matter what issue he tackles, Francisco scores with raw commentary that resonates. This was such an insightful poetry collection, brutally honest and heart-wearming at the same time.

I read this lovely in one sitting and enjoyed it very much. Since the very first page, the one and only thought that came up in my mind was 'this' going to be a very good poetry' !! See, I'm absolutely right about it. :3 

It told so much about diversity, including marginalized people, etc. I'm planning on reading other books by Rudy, it turns out he's one of my peots. I love his works a lot. so if you're into poetry, you must give this one a try, it's worth reading tho.

Although Rudy Francisco’s Helium begins tentatively, cautiously inviting the reader into the author’s vulnerability, this book crescendos and packs a poetic punch. Francisco explores racism, sexism, childhood, love, and even climate change. Most poems were deeply moving and beautiful, with a few light and humorous pieces thrown in. I was touched to read poetry by a male author that was absent of any pretension. We get to know Francisco in his rawest form and the result is fascinating. The author brilliantly and seamlessly leads us into deeper and darker places once he has established himself as sincere and genuine in part 1. Francisco writing is as lyrical as it is candid.

Francisco’s poetry collection has arrived at a critical time in our country’s history. He urges men to teach their sons to treat women respectfully and addresses the concept of toxic masculinity in “Chameleon” and “Rifle II”. In the especially timely and heart-wrenching poem, “Adrenaline Rush,” Francisco addresses the terror he feels when he is pulled over by a cop as a Black man in America. I appreciated that the book ended on an inspirational note with reminders of gratitude and encouragement to face our fears regardless of anxiety. 

This collection is a series of contradictions in the best way possible. The work is soft, yet bold; self-deprecating at times, yet critical of the culture that has shaped the author. I very much look forward to more of Francisco’s work.

Raw and unflinchingly honest, these poems—especially those on racism and other social issues—land like sucker punches in the stomach. Read them and open your eyes if you haven’t already.

Honest and raw and so incredibly insightful. I loved it. A beautiful collection of poetry that resonates with people of all different backgrounds and conditions. 


**I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

4 out of 5 stars 

I really enjoyed this poetry collection. I loved 3 or 4 of the poems and I liked the others immensely. Poetry collections are either hit or miss for me. This was a hit for me. Rudy Fransisco really takes his life and puts it on display in such a raw way. I love it.

Most Spoken Poetry I have ever read were written by women. So I looked forward to reading a man's narration on the themes which are generally explored in Spoken Poetry. Francisco's poems moved me once in a while, and I also watched his videos. I don't think I would read this book again, but it was  sporadically deep.

Well, hello Button Poetry. I see you and I feel you. I couldn’t help but feel as though I was sitting down to a meal as I read this. The book is divided into four parts; the first is to whet your appetite with poems like Good Morning and Page (which I relate to because I face blank pages every morning when I sit down to write), the second part is more like when your family starts asking your date questions. They simply want to know a bit more about your date. The third part is the main dish. This is where your folks make it clear to your date that if they are not here to stay they’d better excuse themselves from the dinner table and leave for good. I’ll say Adrenaline Rush, 98, Liberty and Brother and if you do not get it then To the Man Standing in the Corner Holding the Sign That Said “God Hates Gays” packs a punch, he starts out by pointing out the ironies of life and flaws in our opinions and closes by "I want you to tell your God that my God is looking for him."
The final part is the dessert and in total you’ve got 17, 16, 17, 8 poems from each part respectively.
I’m off to check out his performances on YouTube.

Thank you NetGalley and Button Poetry books for sharing this awesome book with me, now, I need more of the author’s works and I hear that YouTube is a good place start.