Jeanann Verlee – “Hereditary” (WOWPS 2016)

Performing at WOWPS 2016.

“One time I said, ‘Mom, calm down,’ and she slapped me
so hard I forgot her name.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Jeanann Verlee, performing at the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam in Brooklyn, NY.
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.

Best of Button Week 87

“Both of my parents died of overdoses. I paid for their funerals
with drug money. There goes that irony again.”


Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Amin Drew Law & FreeQuency!
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!

Aaron Coleman

Aaron Coleman is the author of the chapbook St. Trigger, which won the 2015 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest.

A Fulbright Scholar and Cave Canem Fellow from Metro-Detroit, Aaron has lived and worked with youth in locations including Kalamazoo, Chicago, Spain, and South Africa. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis’ MFA Program and Kalamazoo College in Psychology, Aaron most recently taught Poetry Writing at Washington University in St. Louis and worked as Public Projects Assistant at Pulitzer Arts Foundation. His recent poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Apogee, Boston Review, Fence, The Greensboro Review, Meridian, Pinwheel, River Styx, Southern Indiana Review, Third Coast, Tupelo Quarterly, and elsewhere. A two-time semifinalist for the 92Y Discovery Poetry Contest and winner of the Tupelo Quarterly TQ5 Poetry Contest.

Aaron is currently a PhD student in Washington University in St. Louis’ Comparative Literature Program, where he is studying translation.

Donte Collins – “Grief Puppet” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live

“Don’t tell your Uber driver you’re going to an orgy.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Donte Collins, 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 all 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.

Anthony McPherson – “When the Obamas Leave Us”

Performing at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

“If you were 8 years old today, you would not know
a world without a black president.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Anthony McPherson, performing at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Check out more from Anthony here and here.
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.

De Dove – “Dignity” (Southern Fried)

Performing at Southern Fried

“Cause this is my moment, not yours.”

Don’t miss this inspiring poem from De Dove, 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.

Mikkel Snyder – “A Question of Authority” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live

“I have a bank account with $5,000
that I’ve started calling bail.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Mikkel Snyder, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. 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 all 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.

Best of Button Week 86

“The blood learns to bend another way
like the legs of a crane.”


Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Aziza Barnes, Melissa Lozada-Oliva & Nia Lewis!
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 Hanif Abdurraqib!