Best of Button Week 154

“I love my body more days than I don’t.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Rachel Wiley, Talia Young, & Brittany Rogers. Congratulations poets!

Check out Rachel’s forthcoming book, NOTHING IS OKAY, dropping March 2018!

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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Stevie Edwards – “The Rapists Seem Hurt by Being Called Their Names in Public”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“They thought we wouldn’t notice the slaughterhouse, the conveyor belt inching us closer, the bins of bones and cartilage separated out.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Stevie Edwards, featuring at her book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Stevie’s new book, SADNESS WORKSHOP, Winner of the 2016 Button Poetry Prize, 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

William Nu’utupu Giles – “What Do You Want? It’s Not that Simple” (Button Live)


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.
“The consistency of hurt is what makes it so comforting.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from William Nu’utupu Giles, 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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Olivia Gatwood – “The Scholar”


Performing at her book release in St. Paul.

“The last time we made love you asked me if I was scared. I think you wanted me to say yes.”

Don’t miss this stellar poem from Olivia Gatwood, performing at her book release in St. Paul, MN.

Check out Olivia’s book, New American Best Friend, 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Raych Jackson – “Period Rules” (500K Views!)

“‘That time of the month’ has about double the amount of syllables as ‘period’.”

Congratulations to Raych Jackson on topping 500,000 views on this amazing poem. Check out more videos from Raych and the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival 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!

Rachel McKibbens – “Glutton”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“If only you could grab madness by the face, pin it against the chain link fence, look it in the eye and say, ‘You touch my kid again, I will fucking crush your life out.’”

Don’t miss this breathtaking poem from Rachel McKibbens, 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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Rudy Francisco – “Your God”


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“Sooner or later you will realize that you are praying to your own shadow, that you are standing in front of mirrors and are worshipping your own reflection.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Rudy Francisco, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Check out Rudy’s debut book, HELIUM, 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Steven Willis – “How the Hood Loves You Back” (100K Views!)

“Ain’t it funny how quickly death becomes fashionable, a testament to how tragic memories don’t fade even in a washing machine.”

Congratulations to Steven Willis on topping 100,000 views on this extraordinary poem. Check out more videos from Steven 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 release from Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre!

Sienna Burnett – “Lunch”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I’m not a thief. If I really stole something from him, it would had to have been a lot more violent. It’s not like I used force. It was sitting right there, so I took it.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Sienna Burnett, 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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Best of Button Week 153

“I’m not here to make you comfortable, I’m here to free myself.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Neil Hilborn, Sam Sax, & Paul Tran! Congratulations 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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!