Cortney Lamar Charleston – “How Do You Raise a Black Child?” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“How do you raise a Black child? From the dead. With pallbearers who are half as young as their faces suggest and twice the oxen they should be.”

Don’t miss this magnificent film from Motionpoems, inspired by Cortney Lamar Charleston. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Emi Mahmoud – “How to Translate a Joke” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“This joke that I heard in Arabic hurts just as much in English, and French, and in any other dialect.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Emi Mahmoud, featuring at Button Poetry Live, June 2017. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Steve Currie – “Descrambled Eggs”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I used to picture this body as a submarine, with me in a captain’s suit staring out through periscopic eyes.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Steve Currie, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Olivia Gatwood – “Backpedal”

Performing at her book release in St. Paul.

“i am not afraid of blood which is also part of being a girl.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Olivia Gatwood, performing at her book release in St. Paul. Check out Olivia’s incredible book, New American Best Friend.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Alysia Harris – “No Poems Inside the Victorian House” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I had to remember my joy, had to speak it into being, and when I looked up from my blood-soaked hands I saw that it was good.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Alysia Harris, featuring at Button Poetry Live, May 2017. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Bernard Ferguson – “On Sex for the Immigrant” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“At some point we all want to prove ourselves alive, especially among the dead.”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Bernard Ferguson, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Jeremiah Blue – “Beautiful Weird (feat. Loren Smith)”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“The first time you kissed me I bargained with the moon to hang out for a while, so this night would appear to last longer.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Jeremiah Blue, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Andrea Gibson – “Photoshopping My Sister’s Mugshot” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“How do I say the truth isn’t the right filter? The truth knows nothing of who you almost were.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Andrea Gibson, featuring at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Davon Clark – “Petrichor”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I never got the chance to reply to her last letter. I always thought next month was an option until her funeral was next week.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Davon Clark, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Chris Lilley – “10 Lessons from Jail”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“You are still here. Every day above ground is a good day. You are not a casket, you are not a hashtag funeral, you are not an autopsy.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Chris Lilley, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.