Danez Smith – “If They Find A Lake on Mars I’m Getting the Fuck Out”

Performing at Inside Voices

“My body is an asteroid destroyed even when it’s speeding
away from the the earth.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Danez Smith, featuring at Inside Voices in Minneapolis. Check out Danez’s book here. And 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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax & more.

Amanda Pressman – “Pepper Spray” (Southern Fried 2016)

Performing at Southern Fried 2016.

“We can’t pretend that weapons will protect us from the people
we convince ourselves we can trust.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Amanda Pressman, performing at the 2016 Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Greensboro, NC. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Kevin Yang – “Fourth” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“Money will not save us. Imitation will not save us.
Our silence will not save us.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem by Kevin Yang, performing at Button Poetry Live, December 2016. 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 all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax & more.

Sabrina Benaim – “How to Unfold a Memory” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“My tongue is well-trained in the sit-still, it’s my hands
that can’t keep a secret.”

Don’t miss this excellent new poem from Sabrina Benaim, featuring at Button Poetry Live, January 2017. Keep an eye out for Sabrina’s forthcoming book, Depression & Other Magic Tricks, out Fall 2017 with Button!

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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Donte Collins – “the orphan performs an autopsy on the garden”

Performing at Inside Voices

“And just like that, she’s dead.
A porch light gone out, a windchime songless,
sunken into the soil.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Donte Collins, featuring at Inside Voices in Minneapolis. 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, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax & more.

Britteney Black Rose Kapri – “Gun Smoked” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“Every time a black boy is murdered in Chicago, my brother
could be on either side of the gun.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Britteney Black Rose Kapri, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. 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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Mojdeh Stoakley – “Blonde Jesus”

Performing at Great Plains 2016.

“Was it whiteness is next to godliness, or something else?
I can’t remember. I am too blinded by your light.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Mojdeh Stoakley, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!

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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax & more.

Best of Button Week 96

“A lesbian walks on screen and is hurt, or crying, or dying, and the lesson is out does not equal happy.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Yesika Salgado, Alyesha Wise & Cassidy Foust!
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!

Hieu Minh Nguyen – “Notes on Staying” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“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 devastating poem by Hieu Minh Nguyen, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. Grab a copy of Hieu’s book here.

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 & more.