Best of 2017 #7: Ben Wenzl – “Mental Illness: The Musical!”

Best of 2017 #7: Ben Wenzl – “Mental Illness: The Musical!”

“Mental Illness: The Musical! But like…I’m too sad to sing it.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2017! Coming in seventh on the list, “Mental Illness: The Musical!” by Ben Wenzl. Congratulations Ben!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.



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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more.

Best of 2017 #8: Jared Singer – “Just Take a Shower”

Best of 2017 #8: Jared Singer – “Just Take a Shower”

“I think we should redefine the word tragedy as: that which is impossible to get over.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2017! Coming in eighth on the list, “Just Take a Shower” by Jared Singer. Congratulations Jared!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.



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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more.

Best of 2017 #9: Joseph Capehart – “America Diss Track”

Best of 2017 #9: Joseph Capehart – “America Diss Track”

“I’m not even sure if this is a poem; I’m just mad.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2017! Coming in ninth on the list, “America Diss Track” by Joseph Capehart. Congratulations Joseph!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.



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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more.

Best of 2017 #10: Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds”

Best of 2017 #10: Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds”

“This is a eulogy for those swallowed by their own minds.”

Heading into the new year, we’ll be counting down the top-viewed videos on Button from 2017! Coming in tenth on the list, “Every 40 Seconds” by Patrick Roche. Congratulations Patrick!

Note: This countdown list only covers a small fraction of the brilliant artists who let us share their work on our channel this year, and is by no means a definitive list of the “best” poems, simply the ones that got the most views. Take some time and check out more from the past year on our channel.



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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more.

Rudy Francisco – “Cookout”


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“The adults hate all the new music, but still want the teenagers to teach them the dances.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary poem from Rudy Francisco, featuring at his book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

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

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and more!

Talia Young – “The Virgin’s Lament” (100K Views!)

“And I don’t like this. That my body is a photo you have to take.”

Congratulations to Talia Young on topping 100,000 views on this incredible poem. Check out more videos from Talia here and here.

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest 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, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

A Scribe Called Quess? – “Rufus and the Fall”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“Is your body crashed like tumbling chords into a cacophonous crescendo? Did you finally meet the bridge that never ends?”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem by A Scribe Called Quess?, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more.

Tu The Judoka – “How to Explain Privilege to a Cake Eater” (Button Live)


Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“How many legacies are intentionally left blank on newspapers before you realize that you can’t rewrite the history of a people if our histories were never recorded?”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Tu The Judoka, featuring at Button Poetry Live.

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans & our newest release from Rudy Francisco and more.

Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds” (100K Views!)

“This is a eulogy for those swallowed by their own minds.”

Congratulations to Patrick Roche on topping 100,000 views on this brilliant poem. Check out more videos from Patrick here and here.

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest 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, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Best of Button Week 144

“A rich girl once told me she didn’t shop in thrift stores because they were ‘sad places’.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Ariana Brown & Samantha Healy. Congrats poets!

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco and more!