Elizabeth Taylor, Vincent Snyder & Nia Lewis – “Black History Month”


Performing at the 2017 Get Lit Classic Slam.
“It is not our job to clean up the mess you left.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Elizabeth Taylor, Vincent Snyder, & Nia Lewis, performing during the finals of the 2017 Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds”


2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.
“This is a eulogy for those swallowed by their own minds.”
Don’t miss this extraordinary poem from Patrick Roche, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Reagan Myers – “Depression Is Funny Like That” (250K Views!)

“I’m so tired of talking about my depression as someone else: a ghost that haunts me and I am afraid of the seance.”

Congratulations to Reagan on topping 250,000 views on this brilliant poem. Check out more from Reagan here.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and our newest release from William Evans!

William Evans – “I Turn the Volume Down Because Beyoncé Says Fuck…” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“Her fist is balled the way a boy would grip her hair in a kindergarten class, or at any age that boys put their name on things.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from William Evans, featuring at Button Poetry Live.

William Evans’ highly anticipated book, Still Can’t Do My Daughter’s Hair, is officially available! Order your copy today!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, & Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Best of Button Week 136

“I was already trying so hard to hide who I really was. I didn’t need another secret.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Amanda Molina and Amir Khadar. Congratulations poets!

While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and our newest release from William Evans.

Raych Jackson – “I Ask What ‘Circumcision’ Means in a Full Sunday School Class”

2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“In this church I want nothing more than a handprint on me, someone who can feel how cold I am, anyone willing to share my blizzard.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary poem from Raych Jackson, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Ollie Schminkey – “For Nikii” (100K Views!)

“To think that you were literally born into blood and pain and shit, and somehow, you grew up to be this beautiful.”

Congratulations to Ollie Schminkey on topping 100,000 views on this fantastic poem. Check out more videos from Ollie here and here.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, and our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva!

Hanif Abdurraqib – “When I Say That Loving Me Is Kind of Like Being a Chicago Bulls Fan”

Performing at his book release at Art Share LA.

“I just woke up one day and I was a still photo in everyone else’s home but my own.”

Don’t miss this astonishing poem from Hanif Abdurraqib, performing at his book release in Los Angeles. Check out Hanif’s incredible debut book, “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much”.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Amani Kaur & Vanessa Tahay – “Your Mom” (Get Lit)

Performing at the 2017 Get Lit Classic Slam.

“My dad may bring the money, but my mom is what keeps this household together.”

Don’t miss this fabulous poem from Amani Kaur & Vanessa Tahay, performing during the finals of the 2017 Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Jared Singer – “The Engineer Makes a Flow Chart”

Featuring at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

“I need music the way most people need water, which is to say, frequently and pure.”

Don’t miss this wondrous poem from Jared Singer, featuring at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out all our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Danez Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Olivia & more.