“I eat boys like you for breakfast”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Ayanna Florence! Congrats Poet!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!
Performed at IWPS 2019 in San Diego, CA
Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Scorpio, performing at IWPS 2019 in San Diego, CA
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!
Performed at WOWPS 2023 in Baltimore, MD
“I don’t know about y’all but listening to hip-hop feels like an abusive relationship”
Don’t miss this poem from Brittany Barker, performing at WOWPS 2023 in Baltimore, MD
Performed at WOWPS 2023 in Baltimore, MD
“I eat boys like you for breakfast”
Don’t miss this poem from Ayanna Florence, performing at WOWPS 2023 in Baltimore, MD
Performed in Longmont, CO
“Lover, you will never lose me to the wind. You are the lightning that made me fill my chest with candles. You are the thunder clapping for the poem that nobody else wants to hear.”
Don’t miss this powerful poem from Andrea Gibson, performing in Longmont, CO
Get Andrea’s excellent book, You Better Be Lightning.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!
Performed at Camp Bar in Saint Paul, MN
“Weeds and willows bowed green spines to him and he swore he could hear the dirt singing his name, saying it right.”
Don’t miss this gripping poem from Danez Smith, performing at Camp Bar in Saint Paul, MN
Get Danez’s incredible book, Black Movie.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!
Performed at Rustbelt 2019
Don’t miss this stunning poem from EyeAmBic, performing at Rustbelt 2019 in St. Louis, MO
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!
Performed at The Roxbury Poetry Festival in Boston, MA
“I call my loved ones, pray I don’t hear the vacuum of a dial tone, and then I wait, quiet like an empty cathedral.”
Don’t miss this striking poem from Usman Hameedi, performing at The Roxbury Poetry Festival in Boston, MA
Get Usman’s phenomenal book, Staying Right Here.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!
It’s officially release day! My book is out and available to anyone across the world, in a multitude of formats, including audio and electronic. I’m so excited for you all to read and listen to my words!
Last night, I was able to mark this occasion by being the keynote speaker at the Intercollegiate Poetry Festival, hosted by Mass Poetry. As a board member, it was incredible to see the work we are doing and how impactful it is. I left feeling energized about our mission and vision. I was moved by the talent and emotion that the young people we serve had in their messages and stories. I’m thrilled that I can play a role in making moments like this happen.
It was also surreal to realize how much time has passed and how much I’ve grown. I remember being one of those students at events like this. I loved hearing poems but truthfully, I longed to hear myself and my story on those stages. Years later, after presenting my work, I had students come up to me and tell me they felt seen. That my Arabic made them feel like my poems were just for them. That my stories of science and art inspired them to be better future physicians. An audience from a multitude of backgrounds could connect with my work and take something with them. I know I’m supposed to be good with words, but nothing can capture how much that meant to me. That was such a victory.
For a long time, I just wanted to be someone noteworthy. Then, I said let me try to become what younger me needed. After last night, I realized I’m that person now. I am who I said I was going to be. And now it’s time to get to work. I respect the process. Let’s get it!
I’d love it if you could purchase Staying Right Here and give it a read. Thank you!
“You do not have to be a catastrophe to prove you are worth paying attention to.”
Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Blythe Baird! Congrats Poet!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!