Neil Hilborn – HGTV-D

Performed at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

“You could’ve gotten the brand new construction with the immaculate inspection record, but instead you went with the collapsing one that’s full of cat hair.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Neil, Hilborn, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN

Get Neil’s incredible book, The Future.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Usman Hameedi!

Darius Simpson – If I’m Caught Between A Badge and A Hard Place

Performed at the Button Studio

“If you say my name and cast iron skillets don’t start to rattlin / that mean you ain’t say it loud enough / will you say it again / if a redwood don’t split open from the trunk?”

Don’t miss this striking poem from Darius Simpson, performing at the Button Studio

Get Darius’s amazing book, Never Catch Me.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Ollie Schminkey – Gay Love is the Only Thing Saving Me

Performed at the Strike Theater in Minneapolis, MN

“Being angry at dying people is never fair. They need you. You’re the one that’s still alive.”

Don’t miss this cathartic poem from Ollie Schminkey, performing at the Strike Theater in Minneapolis

Get Ollie’s powerful book,

Best of Button Week 411

“Let them hear our music. Let them know: we are here. We will not be quiet”

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

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Usman Hameedi – My Name is Usman

Performed at The Roxbury Poetry Festival in Boston, MA

“Our culture is not an apology. Thunder our ancestry, let them hear our music. Let them know: we are here. We will not be quiet.”

Don’t miss this empowering poem from Usman Hameedi, performing at The Roxbury Poetry Festival in Boston

Get Usman’s amazing book, Staying Right Here.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Darius Simpson – We Don’t Die

Performed at the Button Studio

“We laugh so hard it hurts. We hurt so quiet we dance.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Darius Simpson, performing at the Button Studio

Get Darius’s impactful book, Never Catch Me.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Ebony Stewart – The Blood

Performed at the Button Studio

“A poem is not the same thing as a baby. But neither are easy to make, despite what you think. Both are made from love or last minute.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Ebony Stewart, performing at the Button Studio

Get Ebony’s phenomenal book, BloodFresh.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Junious ‘Jay’ Ward – Origami Swan

Performed at IWPS 2015

“You are no paper lantern, you are the sun, a swan, a brightly lit paper thing. You are a woman, stronger than cancer, your heart deeper than any scalpel could ever reach.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward, performing at IWPS 2015

Get Jay’s incredible book, Composition.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!

Javon Johnson – “Baby Brother” (250K Views!)

“We teach boys that in order to become men they have to kill off their emotional selves.”

Congratulations to Javon Johnson for topping 250,000 views on this incredible poem! Watch more from Javon here and here.

Get Javon’s amazing book, Ain’t Never Not Been Black.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, or check out our newest release from Junious ‘Jay’ Ward!