Tender Buttons

"Tender Buttons" is a pioneering modernist poetry collection by Gertrude Stein, published in 1914. It challenges traditional language and meaning through fragmented, abstract images and phrases, emphasizing sound and rhythm over clear narrative. Stein's inventive use of words aims to evoke sensations and moods rather than straightforward stories, encouraging readers to experience language on a sensory level. The work is influential for its experimental approach, inviting multiple interpretations and emphasizing the transformative power of words beyond their conventional meaning.