Performing at Sabrina Benaim’s book release in Minneapolis.

“As a young man, I was taught that one’s masculinity is tied directly to one’s handshake, that when meeting another man for the first time, no sin was more unforgivable than placing a limp fish in his hand, the dead husk of a greeting”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Guante, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Check out Guante’s book, A LOVE SONG, A DEATH RATTLE, A BATTLE CRY, now available for preorder. Get your signed copy before they run out!



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Watch as they nail me to their family tree and wash me white.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Jesse Parent, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“You swallowed the sky, the moon sat in your stomach, a rock, a soft murmur, that erupted as gravity pulled you into yourself.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Dua Saleh, performing at Button Poetry Live.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more!


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Fat girl walks into the doctor’s to ask about anti-depressants and gets prescribed exercise instead, because obviously her depression is because of her fat, and obviously fat bodies never exercise and stay fat.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Rachel Wiley, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

Check out Rachel’s forthcoming book, NOTHING IS OKAY, coming Spring 2018, preorder for your signed copy!



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“My gender is loud. It’s just trying to make up for all those years I put my own hand over my mouth.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Andy Karol, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.

In-Depth Look: Carmen Gillespie – “The Blue Black Wet of Wood” (Motionpoems)

Appreciating poetry is often about patience: sitting with a poem, meditating on it, and re-reading it multiple times. With spoken word, we don’t always get a chance to do that. This series is about taking that chance, and diving a little deeper into some of the new poems going up on Button.

“But the distance outlines an edge where a house may have stood…”

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Write-up by Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre


Get Guante’s Book Here
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While the immediacy of live performance footage is a big part of why slam poetry has really taken off over the past few years, it’s important to remember that spoken word is a much more versatile, dynamic form, one that lends itself to a multitude of different contexts and approaches. I’m reminded of Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s unforgettable spoken word theater work, Ursula Rucker closing out so many Roots albums so powerfully, the lasting influence of Gil Scott-Heron, and so many other poets whose work intersects with music, dance, theater, or other media.

“The Blue Black Wet of Wood” is a short poem, compared to most of the poems on this channel, and lends itself to multiple readings/listens; note how the poem uses color (specifically blue and black), and the suggestive imagery and word choices that accompany that use. Interspersed with dialogue from an interview, as well as the evocative imagery of the video, we get to experience the poem in pieces, allowing each beautifully-crafted lyric phrase to really sink in. The impressionistic effect– the way that the poem, the interview, and the imagery build upon one another– speaks to the power and potential of cross-discipline collaboration and thinking beyond the slam stage.

Find more from Carmen Gillespie here.

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While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including Guante’s own book, as well as titles by Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I’ve watched my sister lose so much, all of my sacrifices feel small.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from John Ratz, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Love is how my mother crossed an ocean for my dad, and how they crossed a desert just so they could have me.”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Chucky Black & Victoria Prescott, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“You ever eat an enchilada, think about it all day, and then realize you might be depressed?”

Don’t miss this amazing new poem from Neil Hilborn, performing at Button Poetry Live.

Get your hands on Neil’s forthcoming book, THE FUTURE, coming April 2018, preorder now for a signed copy!



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more!


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“I’m ashamed I don’t trust anger. I’m ashamed I don’t trust the idea of home.”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Aaron Coleman, performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Aaron’s book, ST. TRIGGER, Winner of the 2015 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest!



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.