It’s been a heavy week, full of loss and pain. Thankfully, we have beautiful artists out there, doing important work to pull us through and give us new language to cope. This week’s round-up is for those mourning after the homophobic attack on Pulse club during their Latin Dance night in Orlando.

“Surviving on Small Joys” by Hanif Abdurraqib – Back at it again with a beautiful, urgent essay on surviving under oppression, Hanif talks about the value of momentary distraction, silly panda videos, and sharing space with others, even when the grief is too large to talk about.

Two Micros by Safia Elhillo –Micros, at their best, function as a poetic snapshot. In these two pieces, Safia offers us snapshots of grieving, and what it means to mourn in safe spaces and in hostile ones. If this is not enough eloquence on loss, check out her full feature set, “Alien Suite”, from CUPSI 2016 finals stage.

“Labor Day” by Sam Sax –Published in Guernica, Sam’s usual flowing style is turned to history, tracing the path of Labor Day, ending in one of the most gorgeous lines: “ any word / traced to its origin is a small boy begging for water.” Congrats to Sam on his forthcoming book bury it, due out next fall through Wesleyan University Press! You can check out his Button chapbook here.

“Restored Mural For Orlando” by Roy Guzman “…how for me a church is a roof that’s always collapsing.” An MFA candidate at the University of Minnesota, Roy grew up in Florida. This sweeping poem documents how the massacre, Orlando as a city, queerness, and what it is to be a POC intersected for him in this moment. It is a poem to hold grief, rage, and also the things that give us the power to keep living.

30 Over 30: Poet’s Edition by Jocelyn Mosman – If you’ve been to a poetry slam, you’ve probably heard the MC tell the audience about a man who founded poetry slam named Marc Smith and the audience response of “SO WHAT?” But who is this Marc Smith? Who were the folks originally competing in slam alongside him? Who are the current leaders and long-standing slammers around now? This list will tell you, with videos of each poet included.

Summer Classes at the Loft Literary Center – Summer session at Minneapolis’ finest writing center begins next week. Classes include The Art of Imitation, The Craft of Poetry, and more. Not a local? Fear not!! There are online opportunities as well.

Thanks for stopping by to spend a little time with us, and thank you to the brilliant folks out there trying to make sense, if not of violence, of what it takes to survive it. Take care of yourselves, drink water, and come back next week for more poetry updates.

Anna Binkovitz is a poet and Button staffer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She loves pizza, red wine, and honest writing with a lyrical twist.

There has been so much greatness in poetry this week, and we are bringing you the best from our hotel at the Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam. We can’t wait to share some of the poems we’ve been filming this weekend, but in the meantime, check out the links below!

Volume I Issue II from Black Napkin Press – This issue features work from a plethora of talented writers, including Siaara Freeman, whom you might know from the video of her poem, “The Drug Dealer’s Daughter.” Siaara has an incredibly strong voice, wielding her vulnerability with impeccable skill. “My father is dead / at my wedding. / He is a slow dance of bullets/.”

“Reasons It’s Important to Rest” by Franny Choi – Poem by Franny, video by Tess Brown-Lavoie. Some poems are best experienced in video form, but not the traditional shot of a poet behind a microphone. This is a poem like that, with a beautiful video to match its changing structure and natural movement.

7 More Dope Black Women Poets You Need to Know –This incredible list from Black Girl with Long Hair briefly introduces you to seven amazing black female poets currently putting in work and putting out beautiful pieces. Included is Aja Monet, the finals stage feature form College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational in 2015.

How Saul Williams Found Courage by Scott Timberg – In the history of poetry slams, Saul Williams is one of the most important and influential names around. In addition to being a poet and spoken word artist, Saul is a rapper and musician. Here is an excellent interview about his new song “Think Like They Book Say,” in which he talks about his own experience of sexuality, and some of his influences.

English Teacher Re-Titles Classic Poems as Clickbait… – When I first started attending poetry slams, I thought I could never like “classic” poems, and so I didn’t give them a chance, until college literature classes made me. Then I realized my mistake. In an effort to help some students do the same, one teacher came up with pretty hilarious titles for poems by Emily Dickinson, William Carlos Williams, and more. Take a look and see if you think the titles change your perception!

Summer Online Writer’s Workshop from Winter Tangerine  Applications close on June 15th for this incredible workshop opportunity. With a focus on getting past your internal editor and writing boldly, this workshop provides a more affordable and travel-free alternative to writing retreats. Some of the guest facilitators include Button author Hanif Abdurraqib, Dark Noise collective member Franny Choi, and prize-winning author Safia Elhillo. Get those applications in!

Anna Binkovitz is a poet and Button staffer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She loves pizza, red wine, and honest writing with a lyrical twist.