Ollie Schminkey – It is the Night Before the Night Before

Performed at the Strike Theater in Minneapolis, MN

“she feels like my mother and not just a person who is watching the same man die.”

Don’t miss this poem from Ollie Schminkey, performing at the Strike Theater in Minneapolis, MN

Get Ollie’s book, Dead Dad Jokes.

Best of Button – Week 22

“Love arrives exactly when love is supposed to. And love leaves exactly when love must. When love arrives, say, Welcome, make yourself comfortable. If love leaves, ask her to leave the door open behind her. Turn off the music, listen to the quiet. Whisper, Thank you for stopping by.

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist. Today’s additions: Andrea Gibson, Shockie G, and Doc Luben! Congrats Poets!

Come back each week to see our newest and most popular videos.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Sierra DeMulder – How to Define you

Performed at Albany Barn in Albany, NY

“Noun: a vase hovering on the edge of a table, a knife stuck softly in the ceiling.”

Don’t miss this poem from Sierra DeMulder, performing at Albany Barn in Albany, NY

Get Sierra’s book, Ephemera.

Sierra DeMulder – Sacral Chakra

Performed at Albany Barn in Albany, NY

“The womb carries, and I wonder what sort of collections it has by now.”

Don’t miss this poem from Sierra DeMulder, performing at Albany Barn in Albany, NY

Get Sierra’s book, Ephemera.

Rudy Francisco – My Honest Poem

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“I’m afraid that if I let you see my skeletons, you’ll grind my bones into powder and get high on my fault lines.”

Don’t miss this poem from Rudy Francisco, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

Get Rudy’s book, Excuse Me As I Kiss The Sky.

Junious ‘Jay’ Ward – Google Image Search: Boston Massacre

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“America renamed us: nuisance. But history will concede our place.”

Don’t miss this poem from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

Get Jay’s book, Composition.

Andrea Gibson – The Last Hours

Performed in Longmont, CO

“Now tonight, this simple garden is its own church as she tells me about the last hours of her grandfather’s life.”

Don’t miss this poem from Andrea Gibson, performing in Longmont, CO

Get Andrea’s book, You Better Be Lightning.

2022 Button Poetry Video Contest Winners

The 2023 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is NOW OPEN!

GRAND CHAMPION
My Brother’s Keeper – Shockie G.
RUNNER-UP
State Property (Poisoned Fruit) – Nick Courmon
CATEGORY WINNERS
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Winner
b l k – Jassmine Parks
Runner-Up
Coach Carter – Darian Dauchan
EMERGING WRITERS
Metaphor – Jazmine Bunch
INTERNATIONAL SUBMITTERS
Winner
Subtleties of Shanghai – Angela Kong
FILMMAKING
Winner
Perfection – Mario Reyes
Runner-Up
Still Here – Maria Gotta
MULTIMEDIA
Winner
I Am Here – Porsche Veu
Runner-Up
Eve – Meghann Plunkett
Congratulations to all finalists and winners!
The 2023 Chapbook Contest is open NOW – January 8th, 2024