Shay Alexi – “And This Time the Butter Rejects the Knife” (100K Views!)

“Remember when you asked some dumb shit on our first date like, ‘What’s your favorite color?’ I said, ‘Yellow.’ What I meant to say was, ‘The color of myself.’ What I meant to say was, ‘My favorite color is myself.’”

Congratulations to Shay Alexi for topping 100,000 views on this incredible poem! Watch more from Shay here and here.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Phil Kaye, Dave Harris, Kevin Kantor, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre – “Ten Responses to the Proposal to Overcome the Current Plague by Challenging It to a Duel”

Performing at the Button Studio

“This is how the men in my family tell sad stories: we always add a little violence.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Guante, performing at the Button Studio in Minneapolis, MN.

Get Guante’s outstanding book, NOT A LOT OF REASONS TO SING, BUT ENOUGH.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Michael Mlekoday – “In At Least A Thousand Worlds”

Performing at the Button Studio

“I learn there is a season for everything. A wood-guided wind pollinates the many worlds with a single shiver. A thousand leaves unfurl.”

Don’t miss this beautiful poem from Michael Mlekoday, performing at the Button Studio in Minneapolis, MN.

Michael’s fantastic book, All Earthly Bodies is now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Neil Hilborn, Bianca Phipps, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Trace DePass – “Notes on the Great Migration”

Performing at The Bowery Poetry Club

“Did my father think I was a phoenix? Are these his ashes he forgot in me or am I burning?”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from Trace DePass, performing at The Bowery Poetry Club in New York, NY.

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Best of Button Week 357

“The idea is to strike your opponent without them striking you.”

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

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Ollie Schminkey, Andrea Gibson, Neil Hilborn, Porsha Olayiwola, L.E. Bowman, Javon Johnson, Omar Holmon, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Anita Jefferies – “The Tree Fell”

Filmed by SlamFind

“When they ask, ‘So, what’s your ethnicity?’ Say, uprooted. Say the tree fell a long time ago. Everyone pretended not to hear it.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Anita Jefferies, filmed by SlamFind

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

C.R.U.S.H & Rain – “American Clone”

2021 Button Poetry Video Contest

“There’s no need for protest in the Promised Land.”

Don’t miss this great poem from C.R.U.S.H & Rain, Category Winners of the 2021 Button Poetry Video Contest!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Rachel Wiley!

Andrea Gibson – “Neighbors”

Performed in Longmont, CO

“She was so unsurprised to see me on her porch, I knew the world had changed.”

Don’t miss this incredible poem from Andrea Gibson, performing in Longmont, CO.

Get Andrea’s phenomenal book, YOU BETTER BE LIGHTNING!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Patrick Roche, Rudy Francisco, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

Hanif Abdurraqib – “All Of The Ways I’ve Kept Myself Alive” (100K Views!)

“I imagined a single bird for everyone I loved, carrying them perhaps to a new and cleaner place.”

Congratulations to Hanif Abdurraqib for topping 100,000 views on this amazing poem! Watch more from Hanif here and here.

Hanif’s incredible book, The Crown Ain’t Worth Much is now available!

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Andrea Gibson, Phil Kaye, Dave Harris, Kevin Kantor, Blythe Baird, Raych Jackson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!

McPherson – “Mom, Stop Calling Me N**** (T.O.R.N.)”

Performing at the Black Arts Matter Poetry Slam

“‘Tis the season for white women to stop calling me ‘nigga.’”

Don’t miss this powerful poem from McPherson, performing at the Black Arts Matter Poetry Slam

While you’re here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Rudy Francisco, Neil Hilborn, Dave Harris, Porsha Olayiwola, Blythe Baird, Andrea Gibson, and our newest release from Ebony Stewart!