Zora Howard – “Sistergirlfriend”

Performed at the Striver’s Row

“Let me remind you: you are so goddamn beautiful. You are a hundred miles deep, two-thousand degrees squeezed to bursting brilliance.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Zora Howard, performing at the Striver’s Row

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

Andrea Gibson – “The Day You Died Because You Wanted To” (100K Views!)

“Imagine choosing nothing at all. Imagine something hurting that bad.”

Congratulations to Andrea Gibson for topping 100,000 views on this powerful poem! Watch more from Andrea here and here.

Get Andrea’s phenomenal book, YOU BETTER BE LIGHTNING!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Hanif Abdurraqib, Phil Kaye, Dave Harris, Kevin Kantor, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Ryan J. – “Zombies in the Dark”

Filmed by SlamFind

“These zombies won’t have to think about when and where they aren’t welcome, or the names people might call them: ghoul, monster, thug, Black. These zombies will find joy in their bodies.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Ryan J., filmed by SlamFind.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Natasha T. Miller, Neil Hilborn, Omar Holmon, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest releases from Andrea Gibson & Rachel Wiley!

Adam Falkner – “Joey From Dawson’s Creek Was My Beard”

Performing at Honey in Minneapolis, MN.

“Joey from Dawson’s Creek was my beard, which if you don’t know means she was my prom date, my monster truck, my main squeeze, rumor-swatter.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Adam Falkner, performing at Honey in Minneapolis, MN.

Adam’s award-winning book, The Willies is now available!

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

Best of Button Week 355

“‘Bitch.’ I ignore him when he calls me that. It’s the only way he knows how to affirm his manhood. By putting down a woman, even when a woman is not in the room.”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Duke the Root! 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, Javon Johnson, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Luna – “The Colonization of My Spirit”

Performing at Rustbelt 2019

“Up until last year, voodoo was nothing but Satan, and every Black villain ever. But now Buzzfeed wants to write an article about a ‘new’ wave of spirituality.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Luna, 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, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Michael Mlekoday – “Scope”

Performed by Michael Mlekoday

“In my memory, it is always August in Kansas. The cicadas buzzing like a power plant in the late sunset, the air thick and wet with history, bleeding Kansas and all that.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Michael Mlekoday, performing at the Button Studio in Minneapolis, MN.

Michael’s fantastic book, All Earthly Bodies is now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Christopher Williams – “The Sound of Surrender” (Video Contest Winner!)

2021 Button Poetry Video Contest

“The Arena Football League, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Fast and the Furious series, Captain Planet, American Ninja Warrior, WCW Nitro. All these things lasted longer than the confederacy.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Christopher Williams, WINNER of the 2021 Button Poetry Video Contest!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Jennah Bell, Jasmine Mans, and Alysia Harris – “Waiting”

Performing at the Stonewall International Poetry Slam

“I knew what kind of man I wanted to marry when I watched my father carry my grandfather’s dead body down the steps.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Jennah Bell, Jasmine Mans, and Alysia Harris, 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, Natasha T. Miller, L.E. Bowman, Akosua Zimba Afiriyie-Hwedie, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!