Best of Button Week 135


“I wish you into a world where chocolate does not exist. I wish you into a world where Beyoncé never made Lemonade.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Siaara Freeman and Amaya Blakenship. 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, and our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Muna Abdulahi – “The Unwritten Letter from my Immigrant Parent” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“My daughter, you are called first-generation for a reason, it is because the American dream was never meant for me, it was always, always meant for you.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Muna Abdulahi, 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, & our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Bianca Phipps – “Stay With Me” (100K Views!)

“Handing over all my secrets is like giving someone with trembling fingers a loaded gun and putting it against my heart.”

Congratulations to Bianca on topping 100,000 views on this brilliantly crafted poem. Check out more videos 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, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, and our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva!

David “AndYes” DeMola – “Alien”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“My father was an alien, born outside the atmosphere of planet America, and I am his alienated son.”

Don’t miss this astounding poem by David “AndYes” DeMola, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Amanda Molina – “The Fragrance of Female Adolescence” (Get Lit)

Performing at the 2017 Get Lit Classic Slam.

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

Don’t miss this fabulous poem from Amanda Molina, performing during the semi-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, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Amir Khadar – “No Fats, No Femmes, No Blacks, No Asians” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“We don’t live in the same acronym. The rainbow flag is all the color he can tolerate in his life. And at the end of the day he can wipe off the paint and the glitter and I stay colored and shining.”

Don’t miss this astonishing poem from Amir Khadar, 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, & our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Sabrina Benaim – “On Platonic Love Being a Real Thing” (100K Views!)

“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?”

Congratulations to Sabrina on topping 100,000 views on this beautiful poem. Check out more videos from Sabrina here and here.

Get your copy of Sabrina’s debut book, Depression & Other Magic Tricks, now available!



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, and our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva!

Fable the Poet – “Timmy”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I know that it was all a dream, and the guy, the guy inside the casket, that was me.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem by Fable the Poet, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva & more.

Best of Button Week 134

“I text myself, ‘I knew you would need me.’”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Olivia Gatwood, Andrea Gibson, Sam Sax, & Melissa Lozada-Oliva. 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, and our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva.

Tariq Luthun – “SEED” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I do not know what to throw away when nothing belongs to me.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary poem from Tariq Luthun, 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, & our newest release from Melissa Lozada-Oliva.