Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for performance poetry.(http://www.buttonpoetry.org)
I personally discovered Button Poetry a couple of years ago while doing an English assignment on analyzing a poem of our choice. Ever since then, I’ve kept myself updated on almost every new poem that is uploaded. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. "Explaining My Depression To My Mother" by Sabrina Benaim
Topic: Depression
This is one of the most emotion-filled poems that I’ve ever watched being performed. Sabrina’s writing is so filled with literary devices like metaphors and personification which really adds to the message. Her writing is so unique, but my favorite part of this poem is her delivery of it. As she speaks, you can see how emotional she is, which makes her audience feel the same way and I love that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqu4ezLQEUA
2. "OCD" by Neil Hilborn
Topic: OCD
Neil Hilborn is one of my favorite poets from Button Poetry and I like every single one of his poems. However, this poem in particular always stands out to me. Although I can’t relate to it, his writing makes it easier to understand exactly how debilitating OCD can be and how it effects such important aspects of personal life like relationships. It’s such a serious topic, yet Neil can incorporate humor into it- something I really appreciate because it’s so hard to do that when talking about something so important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnKZ4pdSU-s
3. "21" by Patrick Roche
Topic: Alcoholism
This poem was the first one that I ever heard through Button Poetry. “21” tells a story in reverse chronological order- from when Patrick was 21 and down to when before he was born. At each year, Patrick details a certain event that stood out while he was that age relating to his father’s alcoholism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LnMhy8kDiQ
4. "Dear Straight People" by Denice Frohman
Topic: Gay rights
Through this poem, Denice describes how she feels being in public with her girlfriend and how judgmental so many people are towards them and their public displays of affection. She uses a lot of humor but still manages to convey an extremely strong message that sticks with her audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frn8TAlew0
5. "Suicide Note" by Akeemjamal Rollins
Topic: Depression, suicide
To put it simply, this poem is extremely emotional. However, it does have a happier ending than it does beginning. The poem is written in a suicide note format up until a certain point where it turns around and begins talking about his future- which he does have. The poem is written directly to certain people in Akeemjamar’s life who have clearly impacted him in both negative and positive ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ike_pjzzW0&index=15&list=PLAAhVnKtfI1SapifGFfqpAgTYWDBH_fmD
6. "Sidewalk Chalk" by Michael Mlekoday
Topic: God, faith, religion
This poem was one of my more recent discoveries but still one of my favorites. Michael contrasts his current beliefs in religion with his childhood beliefs as he talks about his communication with God through drawing on the sidewalk with chalk and awaiting an answer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAnZT4NeP9M&list=PLAAhVnKtfI1SapifGFfqpAgTYWDBH_fmD&index=16
