Claire Schwartz – “Distance Is The Primal Fact”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“there are days i light myself on fire just to worship something glittering.”

Don’t miss this remarkable poem from Claire Schwartz, featuring at her book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Claire’s new book, BOUND, Winner of the 2016 Button Poetry Prize, now available!



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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Dagogo Hart – “Lantern Smoke”

2017 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“I know what she means when she says don’t come back. She means be the best you can be. The world deserves you as much as we do.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem by Dagogo Hart, runner-up in the 2017 Button Poetry Video Contest!

Stay tuned for more information about our 2018 Video Contest!

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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Melissa Lozada-Oliva – “We Play Would You Rather at the Galentine’s Day Party”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“Would you rather be completely covered in fur like head-to-toe, monster type of shit, or, stay with me, stay with me, be perfectly smoothy smooth, in all of the right places: thighs, crotch, armpits, upper-lip, neck? But here’s the caveat: all of the hair that would’ve grown in those places takes the form of a tail.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Melissa Lozada-Oliva, featuring at her book release party at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Make sure to check out Melissa’s new book, PELUDA, now available!

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, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Joel François – “Haiti”

2017 Button Poetry Video Contest.

“What is the point of speaking two languages if all it does if give you more ways to say ‘dead’ and ‘Black’?”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem by Joel François, runner-up in the 2017 Button Poetry Video Contest!

Stay tuned for more information about our 2018 Video Contest!

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, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Blythe Baird – “Skirt Steak Girls” (250K Views!)

“In a fish tank of predators, I wonder if I, too, am a predator by association.”

Congratulations to Blythe Baird on topping 250,000 views on this phenomenal poem. Check out more videos from Blythe here and here.



And while you’re here, make sure to check out our other books and merch as well, including our awesome t-shirts and poster and books by Jacqui Germain, Hanif Abdurraqib, Olivia Gatwood, Donte Collins, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, and our newest release from Guante!

Hanif Abdurraqib – “While Watching the Convenience Store Burn in Baltimore”


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“I can’t recall, I just woke up one day with this new empty.”

Don’t miss this marvelous poem from Hanif Abdurraqib, featuring at Button Poetry Live.

Check out Hanif’s incredible debut book, “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much”.



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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Best of Button Week 155

“Sooner or later you will realize that you are praying to your own shadow, that you are standing in front of mirrors and are worshipping your own reflection.”



Don’t miss this week’s Best of Button playlist, featuring the top-viewed recent videos on the Button YouTube Channel. Today’s additions: Rudy Francisco, Olivia Gatwood, Rachel McKibbens, & Sienna Burnett. 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 Danez Smith, Olivia Gatwood, Neil Hilborn, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Rudy Francisco, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Jose Soto – “Millennial Jesus”


Performing at the 2017 Rustbelt Poetry Festival.

“Millennial Jesus does not die for his sins, because Millennial Jesus knows it is not a sin to live in Brown skin.”

Don’t miss this wonderful poem from Jose Soto, 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, Olivia Gatwood, Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqui Germain, Aaron Coleman, Donte Collins, Sabrina Benaim, Melissa Lozada-Oliva, William Evans, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Sabrina Benaim – “on the last gesture between us”


Performing at her book release in Minneapolis.

“I think I’ll prefer you a stranger someday.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Sabrina Benaim, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

Check out Sabrina’s debut book, DEPRESSION & OTHER MAGIC TRICKS, available on our website or wherever books are sold!



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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!

Ashlee Haze – “Ode to Fuck Boys” (Button Live)


Featuring at Button Poetry Live.

“Oh Fuck Boy, how did I live without you? Why didn’t I know I needed someone to drink all of my Hennessy?”

Don’t miss this magnificent poem from Ashlee Haze, featuring at Button Poetry Live.



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, Stevie Edwards, Claire Schwartz, & our newest release from Guante!