Rachel Wiley – “The Fat Joke”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Fat girl walks into the doctor’s to ask about anti-depressants and gets prescribed exercise instead, because obviously her depression is because of her fat, and obviously fat bodies never exercise and stay fat.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Rachel Wiley, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

Check out Rachel’s forthcoming book, NOTHING IS OKAY, coming Spring 2018, preorder for your signed copy!



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.

Edwin Bodney – “When a Boy Tells You He Loves You” (2 MILLION VIEWS!)

“That was when you learned that when a boy says I love you he means I am getting ready to be inconsistent with you now.”

Congratulations to Edwin Bodney on topping 2,000,000 views on this magnificent poem. Check out more videos from Edwin 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, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Andy Karol – “Gender Reveal Party”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“My gender is loud. It’s just trying to make up for all those years I put my own hand over my mouth.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Andy Karol, 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 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!

Best of Button Week 147

“this is what shedding your old coat of skin in the suburbs looks like, pretending that you were never cut just so you can bleed again for an audience”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: William Evans, Olivia Hall, Sabrina Benaim, & Hanif Abdurraqib! Congrats poets!

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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco and more!

John Ratz – “Dad and I Return to the Disease”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I’ve watched my sister lose so much, all of my sacrifices feel small.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from John Ratz, 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 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.

Anna Binkovitz – “On Being Left” (100K Views!)

“We, a ten-month belly laugh, are done now. Fading into only stomach ache.”

Congratulations to Anna Binkovitz on topping 100,000 views on this fantastic poem. Check out more videos from Anna 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, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Chucky Black & Victoria Prescott – “Learning Love”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Love is how my mother crossed an ocean for my dad, and how they crossed a desert just so they could have me.”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Chucky Black & Victoria Prescott, 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 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.

Neil Hilborn – “Rejected Ideas for Tinder Profiles” (Button Live)


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“You ever eat an enchilada, think about it all day, and then realize you might be depressed?”

Don’t miss this amazing new poem from Neil Hilborn, performing at Button Poetry Live.

Get your hands on Neil’s forthcoming book, THE FUTURE, coming April 2018, preorder now for a signed copy!



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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco & more!

Aaron Coleman – “On Surrender”


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“I’m ashamed I don’t trust anger. I’m ashamed I don’t trust the idea of home.”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Aaron Coleman, performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Aaron’s book, ST. TRIGGER, Winner of the 2015 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest!



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.