Rob Mitchell – “Cash Rules Everything Around Me”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“The dollar was the difference between darkness and a deadlier thing.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem from Rob Mitchell, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

Want to get your book published on Button? The 2017 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest is now open for submissions. November 15th – January 5th, 2017-2018. Check out the full information and guidelines for the contest here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, our newest release from Rudy Francisco, & 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.

Spencer Brownstein – “Grandma, or How Best to Say Home”

2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“She teaches me the word ‘cautious’, which means: I’ll protect you when I can, but you have to protect yourself too.”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Spencer Brownstein, performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

The wait is over! Melissa Lozada-Oliva’s, peluda, is officially released and now available to order!

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 & more.

Jose Soto – “Nipples”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“I sat there, let her read me like a manual, each second a page to learn how this machine body worked.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem by Jose Soto, 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.

Amir Safi – “Ode to DJ Khaled”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“We never saw anyone who looked like us and didn’t try to hide where they were from.”

Don’t miss this sensational poem by Amir Safi, 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.

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.

Paul Tran – “Dry Clean”

Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Every war you start has its price, America, and my mother, she’s gonna make you pay.”

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

Chrysanthemum Tran – “On (Not) Forgiving My Mother”

Performing at the Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam.

“I guess my body belongs nowhere, and there is no word for that.”

Don’t miss this amazing poem from Chrysanthemum Tran, performing during finals at the 2016 Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam in Columbus, Ohio.

Come to Minneapolis, MN, June 2-3 for the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival, hosted by Button Poetry! Tickets are now available!

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.