Best of Button Week 120

“I wonder, often, if the gun that will unmake me is yet made.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Donte Collins & Andrea Gibson. Congratulations poets!

Don’t miss out on Donte’s brilliant new book, AUTOPSY.

While you’re here on our site, make sure to check out our other books and merchandise in the Button Store, including books by Aziza Barnes, Danez Smith, Neil Hilborn and our new book from Sabrina Benaim!

Aaron Coleman – “St. Trigger”

Performing at his book release in Minneapolis.

“I’m hum and tick, derision and boom, unclocked time.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Aaron Coleman, performing at his book release in Minneapolis. Check out Aaron’s incredible book, St. Trigger, Winner of the 2015 Button Poetry Chapbook 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, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Sam Sax, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Patrick Roche – “Siri: A Coping Mechanism” (500K Views!)

“Opening voicemails. He does not tell anyone he still has ones from his dead father. He will not delete them. He will not delete dead grandparents’ contact information. He will not delete anything.”

Congratulations to Patrick on topping 500,000 views on this amazing poem. Watch more from Patrick 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!

Cortney Lamar Charleston – “How Do You Raise a Black Child?” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“How do you raise a Black child? From the dead. With pallbearers who are half as young as their faces suggest and twice the oxen they should be.”

Don’t miss this magnificent film from Motionpoems, inspired by Cortney Lamar Charleston. 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.

Terisa Siagatonu – “Note to Self” (250K Views)

“At least her words will feel like a mirror critiquing its own reflection, the kind of hate that makes you feel more at home and less like the floorboards.”

Congratulations to Terisa on topping 250,000 views on this magnificent poem. Watch more from Terisa 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!

Emi Mahmoud – “How to Translate a Joke” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“This joke that I heard in Arabic hurts just as much in English, and French, and in any other dialect.”

Don’t miss this brilliant poem from Emi Mahmoud, featuring at Button Poetry Live, June 2017. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.

Olivia Gatwood – “Backpedal”

Performing at her book release in St. Paul.

“i am not afraid of blood which is also part of being a girl.”

Don’t miss this spectacular poem from Olivia Gatwood, performing at her book release in St. Paul. Check out Olivia’s incredible book, New American Best Friend.

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.

Rudy Francisco – “My Honest Poem” (250K Views!)

“My hobbies include editing my life story, hiding behind metaphors, and trying to convince my shadow that I’m someone worth following.”

Congratulations to Rudy on topping 250,000 views on this incredible poem. Watch more from Rudy here and here.

Don’t miss Rudy’s forthcoming book on the Button Poetry press! Pre-order your copy of Helium today!



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!

Alysia Harris – “No Poems Inside the Victorian House” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I had to remember my joy, had to speak it into being, and when I looked up from my blood-soaked hands I saw that it was good.”

Don’t miss this phenomenal poem from Alysia Harris, featuring at Button Poetry Live, May 2017. If you’re in the Twin Cities, don’t miss the next Button Poetry Live show, first Monday of every month in downtown Saint Paul, or watch LIVE from our YouTube Channel.



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, Sabrina Benaim, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman & more.