Kary Rios – “I Live Out of Opportunities (Vivo De Oportunidades)”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I killed time. At least what was left of him.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Kary Rios, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. Join our mailing list and get notified for our next 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.

Deshara Suggs-Joe – “I Am Not a Grasshopper, You Are Not My Master”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“Teach me how to hang in a body not meant for walking, talking.”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Deshara Suggs-Joe, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Deborah Armstrong – “Black Lives Matter”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“Because they fear you, they prefer you broken.”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Deborah Armstrong, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Lydia Havens – “Cusp”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“My mother has saved me multiple times, even if she doesn’t know it. I have saved myself multiple times, even if I don’t know it.”

Don’t miss this outstanding poem from Lydia Havens, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Aman Batra – “Here”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“There’s a reason why the Siri on an iPhone has a woman’s voice: she only speaks when spoken to.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Aman Batra, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Gil Kazimirov – “Mom, I Have a Few Requests For You”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“If selfishness was one letter and not eleven, it would be the letter of a kid demanding his mom not to change.”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Gil Kazimirov, featured contestant in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.

Kai Carlson-Wee – “Cry of the Loon”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“We are given a few years to laugh at the danger; to break ourselves down in the service of joy.”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Kai Carlson-Wee, Runner-Up in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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, our newest release from Olivia Gatwood & more.

Best of Button Week 110

“Sunlight falls on the curves of your skin with no complaints and does not wish to change your shadow. I wish people were like sunlight too.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Diksha Bijlani & Pamela J. Peters. 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 Olivia Gatwood!

Theron Jenkins – “Pennies”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I know being a firefighter don’t make me safe, and how ironic is that? Knowing that I will either die in a fire or in the line of fire.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Theron Jenkins, Runner-Up in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain & more.

Rhiannon McGavin – “Chick Lit”

2016 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“My teacher said he didn’t know of any female writers good enough to study.”

Don’t miss this awesome poem from Rhiannon McGavin, Runner-Up in the 2016 Button Poetry Video Contest. 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.