“If you ask me if I am fluent in Spanish, I will tell you that my Spanish is an itchy phantom limb; it is reaching for words and only finding air.”

Congratulations to Melissa on topping 100,000 views on this powerful poem. Check out more from Melissa here and here, and keep an eye out for her forthcoming book from Button Poetry!



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 new books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Aaron Coleman!

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“What is art to an empty belly? What is a poem to a power outage? What is a prayer to a flood?”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Will Giles, performing at Button Poetry Live, September 2016. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

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 & more.

“He say he tired of not being the hero in my poems,
I say me too.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Ebony Stewart & Duncan Slagle. 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 and our new book from Aaron Coleman!

Performing at Great Plains 2016.

“My daily life is the cleanest argument for gun control.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Eric Sirota, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“They don’t make Hallmark cards for your first pregnancy scare.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Rachel Wiley, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

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 & more.

Performing at the Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up

“The desire to die can be an addicting drug, but the will to live can be a euphoric struggle.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from RJ Walker, performing at the Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!

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 & more.

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“What’s the price of a black life in Florida?”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Real T@lk, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul.

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 & more.

2016 Chapbook Contest Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of our 2016 chapbook contest, Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards! Claire’s manuscript Bound and Stevie’s manuscript Sadness Workshop will be forthcoming later this year on Button Poetry’s press. Congratulations as well to Ben Alfaro, who was selected as runner-up for his manuscript, Fantasma.

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Thanks to our finalist judges, Jeffrey McDaniel and Aziza Barnes, for selecting these manuscripts, as well as to everyone who submitted work to the contest!