Patrick Roche – “My Brain Plays a Game of Telephone”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“My boyfriend says he loves me. Anxiety says he loves me but for how long? Depression says he shouldn’t love me. I say, ‘I love you too.’”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home.

Get Patrick’s debut book, A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

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

Patrick Roche – “Hocus Pocus”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“As a child, watching the Sanderson sisters consume their victims, everyone would joke that I would never have to worry about that. The joke being that no one would want to eat me because I’m too thin.”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home.

Get Patrick’s debut book, A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN.

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

Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds” (500K Views!)

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

Congratulations to Patrick Roche for topping 500,000 views on this incredible poem! Watch more from Patrick here and here.

Patrick Roche’s NEW book, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by George Abraham, Dave Harris, Jared Singer, Rachel Wiley, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from L.E. Bowman!

Patrick Roche – “Orpheus is My Boyfriend”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“Orpheus is my boyfriend. A harp in his hands, lyrics happy, a trumpet of smile teaching the dead to sing.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home. Get Patrick’s debut book, A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Javon Johnson, Sabrina Benaim, Kevin Kantor, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest releases from Reagan Myers & L.E. Bowman!

Patrick Roche – “Ode to Streetlights (after Carly Rae Jepsen)”

Performed by Patrick Roche

“Watch me fight for that. For finding joy in whatever brightness may fall on us.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Patrick Roche, performed and recorded in his home. Preorder Patrick’s debut book, A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by George Abraham, Neil Hilborn, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest releases from Akosua Zimba Afiriyie-Hwedie & Reagan Myers!

Patrick Roche – “Couples Therapy” (500K Views!)

“Every Thursday, I go to couples therapy with my depression. He whispers in my ear to stay in bed for another day, presses his palm into my chest, afraid I’m going to escape the covers.”

Congratulations to Patrick Roche on topping 500,000 views on this powerful poem! Watch more videos from Patrick here and here!



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

Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds” (250K Views!)

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

Congratulations to Patrick Roche on topping 250,000 views on this powerful poem! Watch more videos from Patrick here and here!



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and posters, and books by Donte Collins, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Rudy Francisco, Rachel Wiley, Neil Hilborn, and our newest release from Phil Kaye!

Patrick Roche – “Mother’s Prayers”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I wait in line at the pharmacy counter to pick up the refills for my anti-depressants, and prominently placed right next to the counter is a five-foot display of religious books promising a happy fulfilled life through prayer. I should’ve known. I should have known my mother would follow me in here like that.”

Don’t miss this breathtaking poem from Patrick Roche, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Guante, Rachel Wiley, & our newest release from Neil Hilborn!

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.

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!