“My depression is a shapeshifter. One day it’s as small as a firefly
in the palm of a bear; the next, it’s the bear.”
Congratulations to Sabrina Benaim on topping FOUR MILLION views on this incredible poem. You can check out more of Sabrina’s work here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“Dear men who only know how to speak in compliments,
you are not needed. Dear comments about my appearance or lack thereof,
nothing of mine is for you.”
Congratulations to Amaris Diaz on topping 100,000 views on this great poem. You can check out more of Amaris’s work here and here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“Writing a list of ways I could be better and writing a suicide note
are the same thing.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Sierra DeMulder & Eric S. 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 JUST-RELEASED book from Hanif Abdurraqib!
“On the drive home from the abortion clinic, I named every child
at the crosswalk.”
Congratulations to Lauren Zuniga on topping 250,000 views on this remarkable poem. You can check out more of Lauren’s work here and here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“There are not enough district attorneys to convince me that the man who taught me how to ride a bike is meant to spend his life in a cage.”
Congratulations to Desireé Dallagiacomo on topping 100,000 views on this powerful poem. You can check out more of Desireé’s work here and here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“You choose to mistake her weight for weakness,
and she chooses not to kill you.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Beck Cooper & Paul Tran. 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 JUST-RELEASED book from Hanif Abdurraqib!
“If I am your worst nightmare, you need to figure out
what the fuck is wrong with your dreams.”
Congratulations to Dave Harris on topping 100,000 views! You can check out more of Dave’s work here and here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“I am damn good in bed. That fact does not change just because
you are not there to be good for.”
Congratulations to Anna Binkovitz on topping 100,000 views on this fantastic poem! You can check out more of Anna’s work here, here and here.
And while you’re here, make sure to check out our books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain and Hanif Abdurraqib!
“Dear God, if you are a season,
let it be the one I pass through to get here.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Ocean Vuong, Crystal Valentine & Aaliyah Jihad. 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 JUST-RELEASED book from Hanif Abdurraqib!
Hello, and welcome back to another exciting week of poetry! What are you waiting for? Get clicking!
“Poetry as Dialogue: Some Thoughts on Chapbooks” by Heather Bowlan
To start off the week, here is a brief article on the history and function of chapbooks. One chapbook that’s specifically analyzed is black movie by Danez Smith, former winner of Button’s Chapbook contest (this year’s contest is open for three more days!)
The Adroit Journal’s 2016 Best of the Net Nominees
The Adroit Journal released its list of nominees for its Best of the Net Anthology, an annual collection of works from around the internet. This year’s list includes Button regulars Fatimah Asghar, Hieu Minh Nguyen, and Sam Sax. Congratulations poets!
“A New Center for Black Poetics” by Tara Jayakar
Earlier this year, three poets, Dawn Lundy Martin, Terrance Hayes, and Yona Harvey, founded the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics (CAAPP). The CAAPP is meant to be “a creative think tank to spark conversation and collaboration among poets and other artists, and to promote and archive the work of African American poets for future generations.” Check out more of the CAAPP’s work and history in this article!
2016 National Poetry Series Open Competition
This week, the National Poetry Series announced its winners of the 2016 Open Competition. Among the winners is a Button author, the ever-brilliant Sam Sax. Congratulations Sam!
“Writing to be Read Aloud” by Pat Thomson
In this blog post, Pat Thomson writes about the difficult differences between writing for the page and writing for speech. Though this is technically about academic writing and lectures, I think it has some interesting implications for page and spoken word poetry. What are your thoughts?
“Mom” by Alyesha Wise & Aman Batra
All Def Poetry recently uploaded a video of this stunning poem about feminist motherhood and raising feminist daughters. Check out the poem, and this lovely write up by Jenavieve Hatch.
“Rest in Peace, Max Ritvo” by Daniel Slager
We’re closing out this week’s Round Up with somber news. The brilliant young poet Max Ritvo unfortunately passed away earlier this week. The entire Button team is sending condolences and love to all of Max’s friends and family.
And it is here that we part ways. As always, I hope you have enjoyed yourself and maybe even learned a thing or two.
