Ollie Schminkey – “A Poem in which the Word ‘Nap’ is Replaced by the Word ‘Grief’”

Performing at the Button studio

“I let my mother sleep. She needs this grief more than I do, because she lives with him and all the death that crawls on him like fleas.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Ollie Schminkey, performing at the Button studio in Minneapolis, MN.

Ollie’s amazing book, DEAD DAD JOKES, is now available!

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Sarah Kay – “Mrs. Ribeiro” (500K Views!)

“She made us wonder. She made us question. She made us proud of what we had learned.”

Congratulations to Sarah Kay for topping 500,000 views on this inspiring poem! Watch more from Sarah here and here.

Grab your copy of Sarah’s fantastic book, NO MATTER THE WRECKAGE, now available!

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Ethan Fletcher – “Boy on the Bridge”

Performed by Ethan Fletcher

“It only took one bad decision that life had to bring that caused me to misplace my footing, and then before I knew it I was sinking.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Ethan Fletcher, a Semi-Finalist from the 2020 Button Poetry video contest.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Blythe Baird – “Before the Starving”

Performing at Icehouse

“I wonder why survival was my entertainment of choice?”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Blythe Baird, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN. Order your copy of Blythe’s debut book, AFTERWARDS.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Jazzmen Victoria – “White Girl Magic”

Performed at WoWPS Finals 2020

“Despite the world trying to keep us down, we still show up and show out. I mean, how can you call yourself a diamond if you’ve never felt the pressure?”

Don’t miss this outstanding poem from Jazzmen Victoria, performing at WoWPS Finals 2020 in Dallas, TX.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Best of Button Week 347

“When you’re a therapist, you go to work with a cape and a mask, meet the hundred or so souls who are looking for a superhero to save them.”

Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s addition: Rubi Morgan! Congrats Poet!

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open November 15, 2021 – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Omar Holmon, Neil Hilborn, Porsha Olayiwola, Azura Tyabji & Jackson Neal, Blythe Baird, Bianca Phipps, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Ashlee Connors – “Christianity”

Performed at WoWPS Finals 2020

“Christianity calls me lost, strategizes interventions, violates my boundaries. I choke on my lover’s name, for she shall not be mentioned.”

Don’t miss this great poem from Ashlee Connors, performing at WoWPS Finals 2020 in Dallas, TX.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Monica Montoya – “Desert Child”

Performed by Monica Montoya

“Wild girl, Native child, the Earth begs, for your raving rumpus. Your blood craves the taste of dirt. Your mother is calling you back.”

Don’t miss this fantastic poem from Monica Montoya, a Semi-Finalist from the 2020 Button Poetry video contest.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Nija “Sweetness” Maxwell – “Rinse & Repeat”

Performed at Main Street Players

“If these pupils aren’t passing, the school passes them through the school-to-prison pipeline.”

Don’t miss this stunning poem from Nija “Sweetness” Maxwell, performing at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes, FL.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!

Saidu Tejan-Thomas – “Play” (100K Views!)

“Survivor implies it happened in the wilderness, somewhere far, far away from home. It was a normal afternoon with nothing to do.”

Congratulations to Saidu Tejan-Thomas for topping 100,000 views on this powerful poem! Watch more from Saidu here and here.

Check out the 2021 Button Poetry Chapbook Contest! Open NOW – January 10, 2022. More info and full guidelines here!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Michael Lee, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Andrea Gibson!