T. Miller – “They Say” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“I’m afraid to say his name because the quicker I say his name, the quicker I’ll empty myself of his memories.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from T. Miller, performing at Button Poetry Live, March 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.

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 & more.

Donte Collins – “Old Rondo” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“Before they built that freeway, there was a colony of houses, lined up like heritage on an auction block about to meet their god.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem by Donte Collins, performing at Button Poetry Live, March 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.

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 & more.

Bernard Ferguson – “3 Poems on Resistance”

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“The sharpest blade I have is where I place my body.”

Don’t miss this excellent poem from Bernard Ferguson, featuring at Button Poetry Live, March 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.

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 & more.

Will Giles – “Anatomy of a Storm” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“What is art to an empty belly? What is a poem to a power outage? What is a prayer to a flood?”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Will Giles, performing at Button Poetry Live, September 2016. 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.

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 & more.

Eric Sirota – “No Guns Inside”

Performing at Great Plains 2016.

“My daily life is the cleanest argument for gun control.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Eric Sirota, performing at the 2016 Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!
While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including Button t-shirts in both female and unisex cuts, and books and more by many of your favorite Button artists.

Rachel Wiley – “Paper Babies” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“They don’t make Hallmark cards for your first pregnancy scare.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Rachel Wiley, performing at Button Poetry Live, July 2016. 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.

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 & more.

RJ Walker – “Grandpa Millenial”

Performing at the Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up

“The desire to die can be an addicting drug, but the will to live can be a euphoric struggle.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from RJ Walker, performing at the Great Plains Poetry Pile-Up in Lincoln, NE. Support Button on Patreon so we can continue to broadcast these amazing poets!

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 & more.

Michael Szynal – “10 Things You Should Know If We Date”

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“My self-esteem is a helium balloon that’s been in the hospital room of my dying convictions for just a little too long.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Michael Szynal, performing at Button Poetry Live. 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.

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 & more.

Best of Button Week 100

“I wanna thank you for making all
the love songs mean something again.”



This week marks the 100th week of the Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed videos on the Button YouTube Channel. You can check out the current list above, and to celebrate, we’re honoring ALL 179 poets who have made the list over the last year with links to their poems below. Check out some of the best poems of the last two years!

Aaliyah Jihad
Adam Hamze
Adina Burke
Adrienne Novy
Aja Monet
Alessandria Rhines
Alex Copeland
Alex Dang
Alyesha Wise
Amanda Pressman
Amber Tamblyn
Amin Drew Law
Anis Mojgani
Anna Binkovitz
Anthony McPherson
Ashe Vernon
Ashlee Haze
Ashley August
Asia Samson
A.W.
Aziza Barnes
Beck Cooper
Bianca Phipps
Bill Moran
Blythe Baird
Bobby Crawford
Brenna Twohy
Brian Yu
Cameron Awkward-Rich
Carrie Rudzinski
Casandra Faith
Cassidy Foust
Catherine Pierce
Charlotte Abotsi
Christopher Michael
Chrysanthemum Tran
Clementine von Radics
Crystal Valentine
Dan Roman
Danez Smith
Darius Simpson
Dave Harris
Denice Frohman
Desireé Dallagiacomo
Donte Collins
Dylan Garity
Ebony Stewart
Effy Fritz
Elisa Chavez
Elizabeth Acevedo
Ellyn Touchette
Em Allison
Emilee Nimetz
Emily Eastman
Emily James
Eric Sirota
Erica Hoops
Erich Haygun
Erin Schick
Evan Knoll
Franny Choi
FreeQuency
Gabriel Green
Gabriel Ramirez
Gabrielle Smith
Guante
Hanif Abdurraqib
Hannah Dains
Hieu Minh Nguyen
Honey Sanaa
Iain Kohn
iCon
Imani Cezanne
Jamie Mortara
Janae Johnson
Jasmine Combs
Jasmine Bell
Javon Johnson
Jeanann Verlee
Jensen McRae
Jeremy Radin
Jess Rizkallah
Joel Francois
John Ratz
Johnny Osi
Jonathan Mendoza
Joseph Capehart
Julian Randall
Justice Gaines
Kai Davis
Kate Hao
Kayla Q
Kelsey Warren
Kevin Kantor
Kevin Yang
Khamal Iwuanyanwu
Khary Jackson
Kristen Sze-Tu
Lauren Zuniga
Mahogany L Browne
Mallary M
Marshall Gilson
Marvin Hodges
Mary McDonough
Matt Coonan
Max Binder
Maxine Wright
Maya Berkley
Meaghan Ford
Melissa Lozada-Oliva
Melissa Newman-Evans
Mercedez Holtry
Michael Mlekoday
Michelle MacLeod
Mikayla Mitchell
Mike McGee
Mila Cuda
Miriam Harris
Mojdeh Stoakley
Mo Crist
Muggs Fogarty
Nayo Jones
Neil Hilborn
Nia Lewis
Nkosi Nkululeko
Noel Quiñones
Nora Cooper
Ocean Vuong
Olivia Fantini
Olivia Gatwood
Ollie Schminkey
Pages Matam
Patrick Roche
Paul Tran
Phil Kaye
Rachel Wiley
Raven McGill
Reagan Myers
Rebeca Mae
Riley Zahn
RJ Walker
Rob Gibsun
Rob Mitchell
Rudy Francisco
Ryler Dustin
Sabrina Benaim
Safia Elhillo
Saidu Tejan-Thomas
Sam Cook
Sam Rush
Sam Sax
Sara Brickman
Sarah Kay
Sarah Ogutu
Sarina Morales
Scout Bostley
Sean Patrick Mulroy
Shasparay Lighteard
Shavontae Patrick
Shay Alexi Stewart
Sienna Burnett
Sierra DeMulder
Spencer Brownstein
Steven Willis
Tanesha Nicole
Taylor Seaberg
Taylor Steele
Thadra Sheridan
Theresa Davis
Tonya Ingram
Tucker Bryant
Vanessa Tahay
Victoria Morgan
Wil Gibson
Will Evans
Will Giles
Yesika Salgado
Zenaida Peterson
Zev Verdoner