Deborah Armstrong – “Black Lives Matter”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“Because they fear you, they prefer you broken.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Deborah Armstrong, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.

Rudy Francisco – “Things I Strongly Believe” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I believe masculinity is a wet fish most men are trying to hold onto.”

Don’t miss this excellent new poem from Rudy Francisco, featuring at the Button Poetry Live Grand Opening. Pre-order your copy of Rudy’s forthcoming book, Helium, out Fall 2017 through Button Poetry.

Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.

Siaara Freeman – “The Drug Dealer’s Daughter” (500K Views!)

“Some nights I put on my father’s chalk outline and I teach it how to walk.”

Congratulations to Siaara on topping 500,000 views on this amazing poem.
Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, and Aaron Coleman!

Talia Young – “Cancer Suite

Performing at Honey in Minneapolis.

“Cancer comes to take a leaf from the garden each night.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Talia Young, performing at Honey in Minneapolis.

Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.

Neil Hilborn – “This Is Not the End of the World”

Performing at Honey in Minneapolis.

“I am not saying you will find the meaning of life in other people. I am saying that other people are the life to which you provide the meaning.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Neil Hilborn, performing at Honey in Minneapolis. Check out Neil’s phenomenal book, Our Numbered Days.

Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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

Justin Lamb – “For the People Who Ask Me If I’m Tired” (500K Views!)

“The only way your query would be useful would be if it were the preface to a longer, more solution-oriented statement, like ‘Hey! Are you tired? Because I just set up a hammock in your office!'”

Congratulations to Justin on topping 500,000 views on this marvelous poem. Check out more from Justin here and here.
Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, and Aaron Coleman!

Best of Button Week 114

“I guess my body belongs nowhere, and there is no word for that.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Chrysanthemum Tran & T. Miller. Congratulations poets!

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 Olivia Gatwood!

Camisha Jones – “Michelle Obama’s Easter Dress Speaks”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“The curve of her courage is always in season.”

Don’t miss this outstanding poem from Camisha Jones, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.

Lydia Havens – “Cusp”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“My mother has saved me multiple times, even if she doesn’t know it. I have saved myself multiple times, even if I don’t know it.”

Don’t miss this outstanding poem from Lydia Havens, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.

Hieu Minh Nguyen – “Monica West is Moving to Omaha, Nebraska”

Performing at Honey in Minneapolis.

“I think about the world on fire and the music we choose to play anyway.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem from Hieu Minh Nguyen, performing at Honey in Minneapolis. Check out Hieu’s phenomenal book, “This Way to the Sugar”.

Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.