Rudy Francisco – “Adrenaline Rush” (100K Views!)

“It must be nice to feel so safe you have to invent
new ways to put yourself in danger.”

Congratulations to Rudy on topping 100,000 views on this brilliant poem. Check out more from Rudy here and here, and keep an eye out for his book, Helium, coming out later this year!



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!

Kevin Kantor & Sienna Burnett – “Phases” (250K Views!)

“If anyone tells you that you love wrong…tell them you’re sorry that
they’d rather live in darkness than learn to love your light.”

Congratulations to Kevin and Sienna on topping 250,000 views on this great poem. Check out more from them 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 99

“The truth hurts less when it is not parading
around in front of us.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Sabrina Benaim & Amanda Pressman. Congratulations poets!
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!

Guante – “Small Talk” (100K Views!)

“I am pulling myself from the magician’s hat night
after night and I have the scars to prove it.”

Congratulations to Guante on topping 100,000 views on this impressive poem. Check out more of Guante’s work in his book, A LOVE SONG, A DEATH RATTLE, A BATTLE CRY.



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!

Olivia Gatwood – “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” (250K Views!)

“Once, I told you I was afraid of my father and for a moment,
I looked so human the audience lost interest.”

Congratulations to Olivia on topping 250,000 views on this excellent poem. Check out more of Olivia’s work in her brand new book, NEW AMERICAN BEST FRIEND.



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 98

“Too often I don’t tell people, people I love,
I am sad. Because I don’t think that’s something they
want to hear, because they love me.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Hieu Minh Nguyen & Mojdeh Stoakley. Congratulations poets!
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!

Button Poetry 2016 Chapbook Contest Semifinalists

Button Poetry Chapbook Contest Semifinalists

Exciting news! We’ll be announcing the finalists for the chapbook contest next week. For now, we’d like to recognize our semifinalists. We were very impressed by these manuscripts, and we wish we could’ve passed them on to the final round.

Nic Alea, SUMMER IN THE HOUSE OF ICHTHYO
Jackson Burgess, HOLY SMOKES
Elizabeth Catanese, RULES FOR SWIMMING
Amara Chaudhry, A SILENT EMANCIPATION
Ethan Chua, THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN STORMS
Keno Evol, SO PLEASE NO POETS IN THE CHURCH
Hazem Fahmy, RED//JILD//PRAYER
Megan Foley, DEIXIS
Mo Fowler, RAISED TO BE SAVED
Geula Geurts, ALL THE GLORY OF THE KING’S DAUGHTER
Darla Himeles, FLESH ENOUGH
Khary Jackson, WANION
Perry Janes, THE ONLY HOME
LynleyShimat Lys, APPROPRIATE CITIES OF ORIGIN
Chrissy Montelli, HEART FLOAT
Jae Nichelle, LETTERS FROM MY DEMONS TO COMFORT ME
Jason Rusch, PROBLEMATIC QUEER LOVE
Sea Sharp, NEGROX
Andrea Vaughan, MAYBE & MEMORY
Junious Ward, BOY;LOUD

Thadra Sheridan – “Blow Job” (100K Views!)

“In my defense he said, “Would you” which I took at the time
to be a hypothetical. Would I do it, like, if the situation arose,
if I were called upon, like, for my country?”

Congratulations to Thadra on topping 100,000 views on this hilarious poem. Check out more from Thadra 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!