RJ Walker – “Halloween”


Performing at Great Plains 2016.
“I was originally planning on coming as my depression for halloween, but the costume was so big and heavy that I could not leave my house.”
Don’t miss this marvelous poem from RJ Walker, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE.
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 William Evans & more.

Best of Button Week 137

“I just woke up one day and I was a still photo in everyone else’s home but my own.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Hanif Abdurraqib, Muna Abdulahi, Amani Kaur & Vanessa Tahay. 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 Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and our newest release from William Evans.

Ry Irene – “Someone Worth Believing” (Button Live)


Performing at Button Poetry Live.
“Call me disgrace, just because you can’t see the lucky thing I am.”
Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Ry Irene, performing 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, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Andrea Gibson – “To the Men Catcalling My Girlfriend as I’m Walking Beside Her” (Button Live)


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.
“Any feminist who has ever taken the high road will tell you the high road gets backed up.”
Don’t miss this important poem from Andrea Gibson, 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, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Raych Jackson – “Period Rules” (250K Views!)

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

Congratulations to Raych on topping 250,000 views on this marvelous poem. Check out more videos from 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, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and our newest release from William Evans!

Elizabeth Taylor, Vincent Snyder & Nia Lewis – “Black History Month”


Performing at the 2017 Get Lit Classic Slam.
“It is not our job to clean up the mess you left.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Elizabeth Taylor, Vincent Snyder, & Nia Lewis, 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.
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, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Patrick Roche – “Every 40 Seconds”


2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.
“This is a eulogy for those swallowed by their own minds.”
Don’t miss this extraordinary poem from Patrick Roche, 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, Mahogany L. Browne, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, our newest release from William Evans & more.

Reagan Myers – “Depression Is Funny Like That” (250K Views!)

“I’m so tired of talking about my depression as someone else: a ghost that haunts me and I am afraid of the seance.”

Congratulations to Reagan on topping 250,000 views on this brilliant poem. Check out more from Reagan 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, and our newest release from William Evans!

William Evans – “I Turn the Volume Down Because Beyoncé Says Fuck…” (Button Live)

Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“Her fist is balled the way a boy would grip her hair in a kindergarten class, or at any age that boys put their name on things.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from William Evans, featuring at Button Poetry Live.

William Evans’ highly anticipated book, Still Can’t Do My Daughter’s Hair, is officially available! Order your copy today!

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.

Best of Button Week 136

“I was already trying so hard to hide who I really was. I didn’t need another secret.”




Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Amanda Molina and Amir Khadar. 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 Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, and our newest release from William Evans.