Kwyn Townsend Riley – “PWI 10 Commandments”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“If I die in police custody, no I did not kill myself.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem by Kwyn Townsend Riley, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Want to have your video featured on Button Poetry? Video submissions run 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, Olivia Gatwood, our newest release from Donte Collins & more.

Olivia Gatwood – “Fourth Week of Two-a-Days in July”

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“got a fifteen-second water break ten minutes ago and now we’ve got six miles around the golf course that is supposed to be the color of money but around here, looks like horse food.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem by Olivia Gatwood, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.

Get your hands on a copy of Olivia Gatwood’s marvelous book New American Best Friend.

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, Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, our newest release from Donte Collins & more.

Jared Singer – “Just Take a Shower” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“The hardest thing I ever did was take a shower.”

Don’t miss this tremendous poem by Jared Singer, featuring at the Button Poetry Live, July 2017. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.

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, Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, our newest release from Donte Collins & more.

Bianca Phipps – “The Heartbreaker Poem” (500K Views!)

“Your father teaches you how to be the first one to walk away. Leave, before they realize you were not worth staying for.”

Congratulations to Bianca on topping 500,000 views on this wonderful poem. Watch more from Bianca 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, and Aaron Coleman!

Juan Camillo Garza – “5000 Michael Jordans”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“The doorbell rings, the mailman is at the front and he’s carrying every love letter that every stranger has ever written for you.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Juan Camillo Garza, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Khary Jackson – “Past Lives of Darling Nikki” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“Fuck these guys, we’re perfect as we are.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Khary Jackson, performing at Button Poetry Live. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Aaron Coleman – “St. Trigger”

Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“I’m hum and tick, derision and boom, unclocked time.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Aaron Coleman, performing at his book release in Minneapolis. Check out Aaron’s incredible book, St. Trigger, Winner of the 2015 Button Poetry Chapbook 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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Hieu Minh Nguyen – “Ode to the Pubic Hair Stuck in My Throat”

Performing at Honey in Minneapolis.

“How lonely it must be to come from desire but end where light ends.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Hieu Minh Nguyen, performing at Honey in Minneapolis. Check out Hieu’s phenomenal book, “This Way to the Sugar”.

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.