Rachel McKibbens – “Glutton”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“If only you could grab madness by the face, pin it against the chain link fence, look it in the eye and say, ‘You touch my kid again, I will fucking crush your life out.’”

Don’t miss this breathtaking poem from Rachel McKibbens, 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Rudy Francisco – “Your God”


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“Sooner or later you will realize that you are praying to your own shadow, that you are standing in front of mirrors and are worshipping your own reflection.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Rudy Francisco, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Check out Rudy’s debut book, HELIUM, now available!



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Steven Willis – “How the Hood Loves You Back” (100K Views!)

“Ain’t it funny how quickly death becomes fashionable, a testament to how tragic memories don’t fade even in a washing machine.”

Congratulations to Steven Willis on topping 100,000 views on this extraordinary poem. Check out more videos from Steven 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, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest release from Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre!

Sienna Burnett – “Lunch”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I’m not a thief. If I really stole something from him, it would had to have been a lot more violent. It’s not like I used force. It was sitting right there, so I took it.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Sienna Burnett, 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Best of Button Week 153

“I’m not here to make you comfortable, I’m here to free myself.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Neil Hilborn, Sam Sax, & Paul Tran! 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 Danez Smith, Olivia Gatwood, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Duncan Slagle – “The Lighthouse Gives Up” (Button Live)


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“I step into the waves and become a bruised boy begging for loneliness.”

Don’t miss this astonishing poem from Duncan Slagle, performing at Button Poetry Live.



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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

T. Miller – “A Poem to Marcus” (Button Live)


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.
“You made me believe that we couldn’t cry to each other, even when we were in pain.”

Don’t miss this breathtaking poem from T. Miller, featuring at Button Poetry Live.



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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Bernard Ferguson – “Flareup” (Button Live)


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“Sick or not, your skin has always been on fire.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Bernard Ferguson, performing at Button Poetry Live.



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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Keith S. Wilson – “Asterism” (Motionpoems)


A poetry film by Motionpoems

“Your voice is not a feather I can hold, but a thought I draw across my throat when I close my eyes.”

Don’t miss this astonishing poem from Keith S. Wilson, filmed by Motionpoems.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Rachel Wiley – “The Fat Joke” (100K Views!)

“Fat girl walks into the doctor’s to ask about anti-depressants and gets prescribed exercise instead, because obviously her depression is because of her fat, and obviously fat bodies never exercise and stay fat.”

Congratulations to Rachel Wiley on topping 100,000 views on this remarkable poem. Check out more videos from Rachel here and here.

Don’t forget to check out Rachel’s forthcoming book, NOTHING IS OKAY, dropping March 2018!



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, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest release from Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre!