Best of Button Week 354

“I graffiti billboards with the page of my diary the bullies start the rumors with. I tie that page to the end of a kite string and run a crooked line through the straightest mile of the Bible Belt.”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Andrea Gibson! Congrats Poet!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Phil Kaye, Neil Hilborn, Porsha Olayiwola, L.E. Bowman, Blythe Baird, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

LeChell the Shootah – “Model Mommy”

Performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam

“My husband asks what to do to help me get motivated again. Wonders why this wordsmith of a woman cannot find the words to explain postpartum depression.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from LeChell the Shootah, performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam in Baltimore, MD.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Patrick Roche, Javon Johnson, Ollie Schminkey, L.E. Bowman, Akosua Zimba Afiriyie-Hwedie, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Meccamorphosis – “Duck You Autocorrect”

Performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam

“Duck you autocorrect. You keep playing with me, keep acting like I ain’t said what I said.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Meccamorphosis, performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam in Baltimore, MD.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Guante, Javon Johnson, Ollie Schminkey, Desireé Dallagiacomo, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Patrick Roche – “Fairy Tale”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“Watch as I become everything I was promised in a bedtime story.”

Don’t miss this superb poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home.

Get Patrick’s debut book, A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Brenna Twohy, Neil Hilborn, Javon Johnson, Michael Lee, Desireé Dallagiacomo, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Bianca Phipps – Almosts (1M Views!)

“Words can only help you if you speak them.”

Congratulations to Bianca Phipps for topping 1,000,000 views on this phenomenal poem! Watch more from Bianca here and here.

Bianca’s fantastic debut book, CROWN NOBLE, is now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Natasha T. Miller, Phil Kaye, Dave Harris, Kevin Kantor, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest releases from Andrea Gibson and Rachel Wiley!

José Jiménez – “Prometheus”

Performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam

“My professor tells me my topic is too dark for a thesis. I tell him he wouldn’t think that if more dark people were given the chance to write one.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from José Jiménez, performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam in Baltimore, MD.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Brenna Twohy, Neil Hilborn, Javon Johnson, Michael Lee, Desireé Dallagiacomo, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Duke the Root – “Terms and Phrases I Like to Avoid During Sex”

Performed at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam

“Consent. Definition keeps changing, especially in a relationship. I once tried to make it work with someone who didn’t like my poems. Imagine laying next to someone who cares about what goes into your mouth but not the words that come out.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Duke the Root, performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam in Baltimore, MD.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rachel Wiley, Neil Hilborn, Javon Johnson, Michael Lee, Azura Tyabji & Jackson Neal, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Rachel Wiley, “Safety Spells for Sea Monsters”

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“Water might be the only thing that could ever hold us gentle.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Rachel Wiley, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN.

Get Rachel’s spectacular book, REVENGE BODY!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest releases from Andrea Gibson & Rachel Wiley!

Rachel Wiley

Rachel Wiley is a queer, biracial poet and performer from Columbus, Ohio. She is a fellow and faculty member of the Pink Door Writing Retreat held annually for women and nonbinary writers of color in upstate New York. She is the author of two full length poetry collections Fat Girl Finishing School and Nothing is Okay, published by Button Poetry.

Rachel has represented Columbus at multiple National Poetry Slam Competitions and was a finalist twice in 2011. She has toured nationally performing at slam venues, colleges, and festivals. Her work has appeared on Upworthy, The Huffington Post, The Militant Baker, and Everyday Feminism.

Best of Button Week 353

“I guess that I’m always saying the wrong thing. I try to say ‘thank you for loving me,’ but instead I say ‘I’m sorry I’m so hard to love.’”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Ollie Schminkey! Congrats Poet!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Ollie Schminkey, Rachel Wiley, Neil Hilborn, Porsha Olayiwola, William Evans, Blythe Baird, Kevin Kantor, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!