Jared Singer – “Just Take a Shower” (Button Live)

Performing at Button Poetry Live.

“The hardest thing I ever did was take a shower.”

Don’t miss this tremendous poem by Jared Singer, featuring at the Button Poetry Live, July 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.

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.

Best of Button Week 124

“My mother now wears the world: Dresses herself with the tall grass, blushes her cheeks with red clay, she laughs and a forest fire awakens, she laughs and every mountain bows to her sharp thunder, she laughs and every cicada begins to sing.”



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, Chestina Craig, & Hieu Minh Nguyen.

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!

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.

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!

Glenis Redmond – “The Tao of the Black Plastic Comb” (Motionpoems)

A poetry film by Motionpoems.

“Bless how I learned to pocket the hurt in my heart–bless this act of survival.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem by Glenis Redmond, filmed by Motionpoems. 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.

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.