Khamal Iwuanyanwu, Sarina Morales, and Vanessa Tahay – “Standing In Between”

Performing at the Get Lit Classic Slam.

“They blame us for taking away jobs that no one wants,
for risking our lives to make theirs more convenient.”

Don’t miss this necessary poem from Khamal Iwuanyanwu, Sarina Morales, and Vanessa Tahay, performing during the finals of the Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.
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.

Guante – “Action” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“The way you talk about her, the way you treat her…
Your hands are getting too big for your heart.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Guante, spotlight featuring at Button Poetry Live, October 2016. Check out this poem and more in Guante’s book, A Love Song, A Death Rattle, A Battle Cry.

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 88

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



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Anthony McPherson & Ashley August!
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!

Patricia Smith – “All Purpose Product”

Performing at the Get Lit Classic Slam.

“Can I use this to scrub the uncontrollable black
from the surface of my daughter?”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Patricia Smith, featuring during the finals of the Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.
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.

Rachel Wiley – “Gorgon” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“Is it so much easier to make us monsters
than to simply make us dresses?”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Rachel Wiley, featuring at Button Poetry Live, October 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 Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro” (100K Views!)

“Listen to one another like you know you are scholars. Artists. Scientists. Athletes. Musicians. Like you know you will be the ones to shape this world.”

Congratulations to Sarah on topping 100,000 views on this wonderful poem! Check out more of Sarah’s work here and here.



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

Will Giles – “Pokémon Blues: Red Version” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“You only feel safe when your depression
is the strongest thing about you.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Will Giles, featuring at Button Poetry Live, September 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 Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Javon Rustin – “Black Zoo” (Southern Fried)

Performing at Southern Fried 2016.

“Black engineers must be lightning; every time I share the fact
that I am one, white people look so shocked.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Javon Rustin, 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.

Mila Cuda – “From Van Gogh’s Severed Ear” (Get Lit)

Performing at the Get Lit Classic Slam.

“The mind of a tortured artist is one we worship
for its struggle and judge for its suffering.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Mila Cuda, performing during the finals of the Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.
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.