“We came to get low, to get lower, to get underneath ourselves. We came to be free for once, even if it’s just a front.”
Don’t miss this awesome, uplifting poem from members of the House Slam team, winners of this year’s National Poetry Slam.
Best of Button Week 36
“When I tell you that my anxiety is a camera that shows everyone I love as bones, when I tell you that panic is a stubborn phantom—she will grab onto me and not let go for months—this is the part of the story when everyone is telling you to run.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Brenna Twohy, Raven McGill, and Effy Fritz. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our amazing books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
New Video from Individual World Poetry Slam Champion Emi Mahmoud
“I can never forget how much death loves my people.”
Congratulations to Emi Mahmoud, winner of this year’s Individual World Poetry Slam. Check out this excellent new video of her performing earlier this year at the National Poetry Slam, and check out this interview and article about her victory at IWPS.
Cameron Awkward-Rich
Cameron Awkward-Rich is currently a PhD candidate in Modern Thought & Literature at Stanford University. He has represented the Bay Area at multiple national poetry slams and is on staff at Muzzle Magazine. He is the author of Transit (Button Poetry 2015). You can find Cam’s work in The Journal, The Seattle Review, The Bakery and elsewhere. You can find Cam on public transit somewhere.
Best of Button Week 34
“My mom’s so independent, she doesn’t even need to date you! That’s how dateable my mom is!”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Joel Francois, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and Jonathan Mendoza. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our amazing books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
Raven McGill – “Meanwhile, in Post-Racist America”
“It’s ‘fun’ and ‘edgy’ for someone else to wear our face, but damning for us to wear our face.”
Check out this timely, necessary poem from Raven McGill, performing for Slam Free or Die (New Hampshire) at the National Poetry Slam.
Don’t miss our books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye – “When Love Arrives”
“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.” ”
Check out this beautiful poem from Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye, performing at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles. Read more about the poets and their work with Project VOICE here.
And make sure to visit the Button Shop for our amazing books and t-shirts, including a new bundle package of books from Cam Awkward-Rich, Danez Smith, Sam Sax, and Hieu Minh Nguyen!
Best of Button Week 33
“When I was thirteen, my mom was dying, waiting to be unplugged like a broken tv set, all the color and pictures that once filled her now gone.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button Playlist, featuring the hottest recent videos on the Button YouTube channel. Updated every week! Today’s additions: Wil Gibson and Olivia Fantini. Congratulations poets!
Make sure to check out our books and t-shirts in the Button Shop!
Anthony McPherson – “All Lives Matter: 1800s Edition”
“Just because I own slaves doesn’t mean I’m racist. I don’t even see color; you’re racist for being slaves.”
Our first video from the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam is up! Check out this sharp, stunning poem from Anthony McPherson, who ranked 13th overall in the tournament.
Melissa Lozada-Oliva & Jonathan Mendoza – “Date My Mom!”
“My mom’s so independent, she doesn’t even need to date you! That’s how dateable my mom is!”
Check out this hilarious poem from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & Jonathan Mendoza, performing for the National Poetry Slam champion House Slam team at NPS 2015.
Don’t miss our awesome books and merch at the Button store!