Michael Lee – “And”

Featuring at Icehouse

“What does it mean when you and your love sleep in the same bed for the last time & you lie awake saying nothing because you know it?”

Don’t miss this great poem from Michael Lee, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, & our newest releases from Jared Singer & Porsha Olayiwola!

Button Poetry made an app called Button TV! It’s like Netflix for poetry. You can listen to your favorite poets while using other apps!

Download the Button TV app where apps are got. Available for Apple iOS, Android, and Desktop!

Don’t miss out on our next submission period! The 2019 Chapbook Contest starts November 15th, 2019 and ends January 5th, 2020!

Michael Lee – “Self-Erasure as Applied to My Memory”

Featuring at Icehouse

“It was the year I didn’t sleep, but could not leave my bed. It was the year of the vanishing which I had learned from the dead.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Michael Lee, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Desireé Dallagiacomo, & our newest releases from Brenna Twohy & Raych Jackson!

Button Poetry made an app called Button TV! It’s like Netflix for poetry. You can listen to your favorite poets while using other apps!

Download the Button TV app where apps are got. Available for Apple iOS, Android, and Desktop!

Don’t miss out on our next submission period! The 2019 Chapbook Contest starts November 15th, 2019 and ends January 5th, 2020!

Michael Lee – “Mikkels Plass” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“The clock is a more complicated machine than the gun, and certainly the knife, but they all have the same final trick.”

Don’t miss this heart-wrenching poem from Michael Lee, performing at Button Poetry Live.

Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Desireé Dallagiacomo, & our newest releases from Brenna Twohy & Raych Jackson!

Button Poetry made an app called Button TV! It’s like Netflix for poetry. You can listen to your favorite poets while using other apps!

Download the Button TV app where apps are got. Available for Apple iOS, Android, and Desktop!

Don’t miss out on our next submission period! The 2019 Chapbook Contest starts November 15th, 2019 and ends January 5th, 2020!

Michael Lee – “Out There” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“If I am alive now it is because of how many times I have failed.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Michael Lee, performing at Button Poetry Live in St. Paul, MN.

Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Andrea Gibson, Blythe Baird, Desireé Dallagiacomo, & our newest release from Dave Harris!

Michael Lee – “Waking Up Naked” (500K Views!)

“The strongest I have ever felt was the first time I said ‘no’ to a drink.”

Congratulations to Michael Lee for topping 500,000 views on this incredible poem! Watch more videos from Michael here and here.



Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available for pre-order!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Andrea Gibson, Blythe Baird, Desireé Dallagiacomo, & our newest release from Dave Harris!

Michael Lee – “Row”

Performing at Amsterdam Bar & Hall.

“I’ve been clean for ten years, sometimes barely. I could throw it away if I wanted and in my favorite dreams I do.”

Don’t miss this heart-wrenching poem from Michael Lee, performing at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul, MN.

Grab your copy of Michael’s powerful book, THE ONLY WORLDS WE KNOW , now available for pre-order!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Andrea Gibson, Blythe Baird, Desireé Dallagiacomo, & our newest release from Dave Harris!

Michael Lee – “Just Yesterday” (100K Views!)

Michael Lee Just Yesterday 100k

“Sometimes I want to kill my uncle for being a more miserable drunk than I was. Sometimes I want him to die already so I can write about it. Sometimes I, too, want to be a poem.”

Congratulations to Michael Lee on reaching 100,000 views for his poem. Check out more from Michael here and here.

Make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store!

Michael Lee – “Waking Up Naked”

“The strongest I have ever felt was the first time I said no to a drink. I have said no every morning since September 29, 2008.”

Today, Michael Lee celebrates seven years of sobriety. Check out his inspiring poem about addiction and recovery below.

This poem was performed and filmed at the Soap Boxing Poetry Slam in Saint Paul, which has recently joined forces with Button Poetry to create Button Poetry Live, a new monthly show featuring some of the top poets from around the country as well as local performers. If you’re in the Twin Cities area, don’t miss our Grand Opening on Monday, October 5th at Camp Bar in Downtown Saint Paul. Tickets available here (for priority seating) or at the door.