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.

Javon Johnson – “Black and Happy” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“You cannot kill blackness.
Too much of it is wrapped in an unshakable joy.
And ain’t that why they think we magic in the first place?”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Javon Johnson, featuring at Button Poetry Live, November 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.

Ben Wenzl – “From an Early Age” (Great Plains)

Performing at Great Plains 2016.

“From an early age we learned that opposites attract:
negative/positive, hot/cold, boy/boy…”

Don’t miss this great poem from Ben Wenzl, 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 Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.