Steven Willis – “How the Hood Loves You Back”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

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

Don’t miss this remarkable poem by Steven Willis, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival. 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.

Ephraim Nehemiah – “Waffle House”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I don’t even blame you. I blame Christopher Columbus; for makin’ white people think they can just name things whatever they want.”

Don’t miss this tremendous poem by Ephraim Nehemiah, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival. Want to have your video featured on Button Poetry? Video submissions 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.

Raych Jackson – “Period Rules”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

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

Don’t miss this fantastic poem by Raych Jackson, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival. Want to have your video featured on Button Poetry? Video submissions open August 1st!

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.

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!

Best of Button Week 123

“I wish there was something of yours left that I could put my ear to, and hear the familiar of your voice stumbling for my name.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Omar Holmon, Ed Carlyon, & Talicha Johnson. 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 and our new book from
Donte Collins!

Trey Amos – “Short Story Long”


2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.
“Do you ever give second thought to breathing?”
Don’t miss this great poem from Trey Amos, 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.

Elizabeth Acevedo – “An Open Letter to the Protesters Outside the Planned Parenthood” (100K Views!)

“You don’t know my god. You and mine ain’t on speaking terms.”

Congratulations to Elizabeth on topping 100,000 views on this fantastic poem. Watch more from Elizabeth 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.

Sabrina Benaim – “On Platonic Love Being a Real Thing”

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I think about each relationship sitting at the table, how we trust each other with our whole bodies, how that’s love; now, isn’t that love?”

Don’t miss this magnificent new poem from Sabrina Benaim, featuring at Button Poetry Live, January 2017. Pre-order your copy of Sabrina’s forthcoming book, Depression & Other Magic Tricks, out Fall 2017 with Button!

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 & more.