Melissa Lozada-Oliva – “My Hair Stays on Your Pillow Like a Question Mark”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“Imagine being as gross as you fear?? Imagine the things that shed from you turning into something that survives the apocalypse??”

Don’t miss this fantastic 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!

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, and more!

Best of Button Week 142

“To anyone who has ever wanted to die: I have been told sometimes the most healing thing we can do is remind ourselves over and over and over, other people feel this way too.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Andrea Gibson, Sabrina Benaim, and Mila Cuda!

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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!

Suzi Q Smith – “I Don’t Know How to Love in English”


Performing at Great Plains 2016

“I do not know where love comes from, only know that it resides in me.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem from Suzi Q Smith, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE.

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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.

Rob Mitchell – “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“The dollar was the difference between darkness and a deadlier thing.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem from Rob Mitchell, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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.

Emi Mahmoud – “Why I Haven’t Told You Yet” (100K Views!)

“He once said I’m cute when I’m angry. Well, I’m about to look phenomenal.”

Congratulations to Emi Mahmoud on topping 100,000 views on this incredible poem. Check out more videos from Emi 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Oona Hollister Stanton – “Reversed Broken Ghazal for my Girlfriend” (Get Lit)

Performing at the 2017 Get Lit Classic Slam.

“She told her mother I was her girlfriend. Her mother, fingering the delicate cross around her neck, said, ‘That’s fine, you’re young. You just can’t be in love.’”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Oona Hollister Stanton, performing during the finals of the 2017 Get Lit Words Ignite Classic Slam, the largest youth poetry tournament in Southern California. Order Get Lit Rising today at simonandschuster.com, and join the #LiteraryRiot at getlit.org.

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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.

Jared Singer – “Just Take a Shower” (100K Views!)

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

Congratulations to Jared Singer on topping 100,000 views on this impeccable poem. Check out more videos from Jared 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and our newest release from Rudy Francisco!

Roya Marsh – “For Colored Dykes”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I once had a man tell me he did not respect me as a woman until I opened my mouth. Funny, how I became his kind of woman when I opened my mouth.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem from Roya Marsh, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & more.

Rudy Francisco – “When People Ask How I’m Doing”


Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“When people ask me how I’m doing, I want to say, getting out of bed has become a magic trick. I am probably the worst magician I know.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Rudy Francisco, featuring at his book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Happy Publication Day, Rudy! Check out Rudy’s debut book, HELIUM, now available!

Send us your poems! The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

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, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, and more.

Best of Button Week 141

“My depression is like that guy lifting directly in front of the weight rack.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Nora Cooper and Olivia Gatwood!

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco and more!