Best of 2016 #3: Jamie Mortara – “Some Things You Need to Know Before Dating Me”

Best of 2016 #3:
Jamie Mortara – “Some Things You Need to Know
Before Dating Me”

“Too many people have claimed they can read me like a book
and then they went and put me on a shelf.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in third on the list, “Some Things You Need to Know Before Dating Me” by Jamie Mortara. Congratulations Jamie!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #4: Blythe Baird – “For the Rapists Who Called Themselves Feminist”

Best of 2016 #4:
Blythe Baird – “For the Rapists Who Called
Themselves Feminist”

“You call this rape culture, I call it this morning.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in fourth on the list,  “For the Rapists Who Called Themselves Feminist” by Blythe Baird. Congratulations Blythe!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #5: Crystal Valentine – “And the News Reporter Says Jesus Is White”

Best of 2016 #5:
Crystal Valentine – “And the News Reporter Says
Jesus Is White”

“How can she say Jesus was a white man when he died
the blackest way possible? With his hands up,
with his mother watching.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in fifth on the list, “And the News Reporter Says Jesus Is White” by Crystal Valentine. Congratulations Crystal!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #7: Kayla Q – “Questions I’ve Been Asked as a Midwife”

Best of 2016 #7:
Kayla Q – “Questions I’ve Been Asked as a Midwife”

“We are the granddaughters of the witches
they forgot to burn.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in seventh on the list, “Questions I’ve Been Asked as a Midwife” by Kayla Q. Congratulations Kayla!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #8: Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad – “Hide Your Shea Butter”

Best of 2016 #8:
Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad – “Hide Your Shea Butter”

“It’s not that we don’t trust white people. It’s that y’all
really think my black looks better on you.”

Heading into the new year, we’re counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in eighth on the list, “Hide Your Shea Butter” by Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad. Congratulations poets!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel!


Best of 2016 #9: Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro”

Best of 2016 #9:
Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro”

“She made us wonder. She made us question.
She made us proud of what we had learned.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2016! Coming in ninth on the list, “Mrs. Ribeiro” by Sarah Kay. Congratulations Sarah!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.


Best of 2016: Runners-Up

Best of 2016: Runners-Up

Tomorrow we’re starting our year-end countdown of the 10 most-viewed videos on the Button Poetry channel in 2016. For today, check out this list of the runners-up, poems that range from funny to political to introspective and lyrical and everything in between.

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.


Kevin Yang – “How to Love Your Introvert” (500K Views!)

“Just because I do not wear my heart on my sleeve for everyone to see
does not mean that it beats any softer than yours.”

Congratulations to Kevin Yang on topping 500,000 views on this wonderful poem. Check out more from Kevin here and here.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Aaron Coleman!

Best of Button Week 95

“The only difference between you and me, is I’m just
a small part of what you are.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: RJ Walker & Erica Hoops!
While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn and our NEW book from Aaron Coleman!