Portia Bartley – “When Blackness Becomes A Hand Me Down Shirt”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“It seems some clothes will always be in style, even when they are soaked in blood.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem by Portia Bartley, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

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, Rudy Francisco, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!

Joseph Capehart – “Wolves” (100K Views!)

“My father was a pastor, who didn’t teach me that being a man meant fearing God, but that being a man meant being God.”

Congratulations to Joseph Capehart on topping 100,000 views on this amazing poem. Check out more videos from Joseph 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 poster and books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, Donte Collins, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest releases from Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards!

Nadav Heyman – “Helena”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“Being a human is much more than running fast, like being a feather is much more than being discovered.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem by Nadav Heyman, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

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, Rudy Francisco, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!

Emi Mahmoud – “Eulogy” (Button Live)


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.
“I had a dream last night: they strung me up like a song, but this time the noose said no.”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Emi Mahmoud, featuring at Button Poetry Live.



While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, Rudy Francisco, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!

Rachel Wiley – “Dry Cake Wishes and Tap Water Dreams” (100K Views!)

“I wish him a lifetime of safety and platitudes, a soundtrack of fluorescent lights humming. I do not wish him me, though. Never me again.”

Congratulations to Rachel Wiley on topping 100,000 views on this incredible poem. Check out more videos from Rachel here and here.

Don’t miss Rachel’s forthcoming book, NOTHING IS OKAY, preorder now available!



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, Rudy Francisco, and our newest releases from Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards!

Donte Collins – “Still Life with Birth Certificate”

Performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

“You have breath where you should have nothing.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem by Donte Collins, performing at Sabrina Benaim‘s book release at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Check out Donte’s amazing book, AUTOPSY, named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2017!

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, Rudy Francisco, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!

Best of Button Week 150


“There is nothing rational about love. Love stutters when it gets nervous, love trips over its own shoelaces. Love is clumsy, and my heart refuses to wear a helmet.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Rudy Francisco, Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, & Guante. Congrats poets!

Don’t miss Guante’s incredible book, A LOVE SONG, A DEATH RATTLE, A BATTLE CRY, dropping in just a couple more weeks!

While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Danez Smith, Olivia Gatwood, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest releases from Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards!

Paige Polk – “Redemption”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I am the universe with its arms outstretched: chaotic, impossible to end, but somehow, still, I am so beautiful.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem by Paige Polk, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

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, Rudy Francisco, & our newest releases from Stevie Edwards and Claire Schwartz!

Melissa Lozada-Oliva – “Ode to Brown Girls With Bangs”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“you are meticulous because everyone is watching. you are afraid because it is the only way you know how to love.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Melissa Lozada-Oliva, featuring at her book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Melissa’s new book, PELUDA, now available!

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, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest releases from Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards!

Hanif Abdurraqib – “And What Good Will Your Vanity Be When The Rapture Comes”

Performing at his book release in Los Angeles.

“Now I write beautiful things like I will never touch a beautiful thing again.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Hanif Abdurraqib, performing at his book release at Art Share LA, in Los Angeles. Check out Hanif’s incredible debut book, “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much”.

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, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest releases from Claire Schwartz and Stevie Edwards!