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!

Gary Jackson – “Tryouts” (Motionpoems)


A poetry film by Motionpoems

“You always save the ones never meant to survive.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Gary Jackson, 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, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!.

Monique Adelle – “A Sonnet After Chopin’s Requiem” (Motionpoems)


A poetry film by Motionpoems

“You press your fingers to my spine, inhale, you pull me in and hold until I sound.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Monique Adelle, 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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.

In-Depth Look: Carmen Gillespie – “The Blue Black Wet of Wood” (Motionpoems)

In-Depth Look: Carmen Gillespie – “The Blue Black Wet of Wood” (Motionpoems)

Appreciating poetry is often about patience: sitting with a poem, meditating on it, and re-reading it multiple times. With spoken word, we don’t always get a chance to do that. This series is about taking that chance, and diving a little deeper into some of the new poems going up on Button.

“But the distance outlines an edge where a house may have stood…”

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Write-up by Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre


Get Guante’s Book Here
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While the immediacy of live performance footage is a big part of why slam poetry has really taken off over the past few years, it’s important to remember that spoken word is a much more versatile, dynamic form, one that lends itself to a multitude of different contexts and approaches. I’m reminded of Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s unforgettable spoken word theater work, Ursula Rucker closing out so many Roots albums so powerfully, the lasting influence of Gil Scott-Heron, and so many other poets whose work intersects with music, dance, theater, or other media.

“The Blue Black Wet of Wood” is a short poem, compared to most of the poems on this channel, and lends itself to multiple readings/listens; note how the poem uses color (specifically blue and black), and the suggestive imagery and word choices that accompany that use. Interspersed with dialogue from an interview, as well as the evocative imagery of the video, we get to experience the poem in pieces, allowing each beautifully-crafted lyric phrase to really sink in. The impressionistic effect– the way that the poem, the interview, and the imagery build upon one another– speaks to the power and potential of cross-discipline collaboration and thinking beyond the slam stage.

Find more from Carmen Gillespie here.

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While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including Guante’s own book, as well as titles by Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Geffrey Davis – “From 35,000 Feet / Praise Aviophobia” (Motionpoems)


A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“This be the blessed in-between: the holy fall from the flock, from the union hole, until the touch to ground when I resist the urge to hug and kiss the stranger there beside me.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Geffrey Davis, 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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.

Cynthia Manick – “Things I Carry into the World” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“Like thunderclouds I don’t stray far from earthly things.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem by Cynthia Manick, filmed by Motionpoems. Want to have your video featured on Button Poetry? Video submissions are open NOW, August 1st – September 15th!

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, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Glenis Redmond – “The Tao of the Black Plastic Comb” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“Bless how I learned to pocket the hurt in my heart–bless this act of survival.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem by Glenis Redmond, filmed by Motionpoems. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

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, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Safia Elhillo – “Application for the Position of Abdelhalim Hafez’s Girl” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“I go quiet for days. I turn the color of mirrors. I turn the color of smoke.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem by Safia Elhillo, filmed by Motionpoems. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

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, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Cortney Lamar Charleston – “How Do You Raise a Black Child?” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“How do you raise a Black child? From the dead. With pallbearers who are half as young as their faces suggest and twice the oxen they should be.”

Don’t miss this magnificent film from Motionpoems, inspired by Cortney Lamar Charleston. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next submission period!

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, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

“The Mother Warns the Tornado” (Motionpoems)

Mothern Warns Tornado Website

“I will turn hacksaw. I will turn grenade. I will invent for you a throat and choke you.”

Don’t miss this stunning video, the first in our collaboration with the amazingly talented folks at Motionpoems. Check out more from them here.

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