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!

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!

Best of Button Week 32

“I have been wondering, mostly, if love and sanity are the same thing. When I say I am in love I am also saying the world makes sense to me right now.”

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: Sam Rush, Steven Willis, and Neil Hilborn. Congratulations poets!

Make sure to check out Neil’s book and our other authors in the Button Shop!

Best of Button Week 31

“Ever since a cop told me that my son looks older than he actually is, I don’t let him walk home from school anymore.”

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: Will Evans, Kai Davis, Miriam Harris, and Patrick Roche. Congratulations poets!

Make sure to check out our books and merch in the Button Shop!

Michael Lee – “Waking Up Naked”

“The strongest I have ever felt was the first time I said no to a drink. I have said no every morning since September 29, 2008.”

Today, Michael Lee celebrates seven years of sobriety. Check out his inspiring poem about addiction and recovery below.

This poem was performed and filmed at the Soap Boxing Poetry Slam in Saint Paul, which has recently joined forces with Button Poetry to create Button Poetry Live, a new monthly show featuring some of the top poets from around the country as well as local performers. If you’re in the Twin Cities area, don’t miss our Grand Opening on Monday, October 5th at Camp Bar in Downtown Saint Paul. Tickets available here (for priority seating) or at the door.

Best of Button Week 30

“My mother tells me I am a bird, but when she says I am a bird she means the whole world is my cage.”

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: Sabrina Benaim and Gabriel Ramirez. Congratulations poets!

Make sure to check out our books and merch in the Button Shop!