April Slam 2013 - Final Round - Neil Hilborn reading "This Is Not The End Of The World"

[@fluffypuppy0]

His poems like this one, pick out those dark depressed parts of you and talks about them with raw honesty, while still creating a realistic hope. He makes it relatable so you believe him when he says keep going in a sense. I hope that makes sense

[@tada792]

Dee-Andra Webley yes. ❤️

[@Deepfly5026]

Neil makes me not want to kill myself. Thank you, Neil.

[@KRuetenik]

Wrote out the words :P I’ve been hearing that the world is ending I’ve heard it so much these days that I can either completely ignore it or never leave my house again That is, if I actually left my house for things that don’t directly enable me to keep my house See, I’ve been thinking about driving nowhere I’ve been thinking about becoming a box inside a locked room inside a dark house at the dark end of a street I want to go away until I’m gone It takes so much less energy to not exist than it takes to exist and get burned I’ve been burned so much I’m not me anymore I’m a stupid puppet version of me I got strings that lead to nowhere nothing is pulling on me I wish someone would drag my hand out of hiding and sign my name on the dotted line There are days when I cannot find the sun even though it’s right outside my god damn window When getting out of bed feels like the key in the doomsday machine So on those days this is what i tell myself whatever you’re feeling right now there’s a mathematical certainty that someone is feeling that exact same thing this is not to say you aren’t special this is to say thank god you aren’t special I too have kissed no one goodnight I have launched myself from tall places and hoped no one would catch me I have ended relationships because suddenly I was also exposed but isolation is not safety it is death if no one knows you’re alive you aren’t if a tree falls in a forest and no ones around to hear it it does make a sound but then that sound is gone I'm not saying you will find the meaning of life in other people I’m saying other people are the life to which you provide the meaning you see we’re wrong when we say I think therefore I am the more we say it the more it sounds like I think therefore I will be you cannot think yourself into a full table you cannot think and make walls and a roof appear around you I have thought and thought myself into corners made of words and nightmares but what has it gotten me? more thoughts a currency that only buys more currency so please if you want to continue existing do something learn to make clouds using only your breath build a house even if every wall leans to the left love it anyway just like a season just like a child love how you hate yourself sometimes because god damn at least there’s still something to hate i know how easy it is to think and keep thinking until you’re the last person left on earth until the entire world becomes no larger than the space between your bed and the light switch but I hear the world is ending soon when we go I think we are all going to go I will be part of it

[@RyanBCreative]

"There are days when I cannot find the sun even though it’s right outside my god damn window." I think we all can relate to that line.

[@paytonlungo3224]

"Love how you hate yourself sometimes because goddamn atleast there is still something to hate"

[@dimitri1780]

This is the poem that started it all... he expressed a life time in 3 mins and 7 seconds...

[@superHomeandawaylove]

Neil is the best poet ever. His metaphors aren't smart word after smart word, they're relatable and beautiful.

[@PrettyInPink4856]

I watch this everyday to keep me afloat. I can't believe someone can stand up there and speak my life

[@jessygagliani]

oh my goodness.... im so inspired to write now. Neil Hilborn is for sure one of the greats

[@SummersChokeHold]

I first saw this video around 7 years ago (must've been around the time of the upload). I memorised this poem back then while I was suffering from depression with psychotic symptoms due to years of unchecked anxiety that grew and all of that was focused on an unwavering and intense fear of a star somewhere exploding and ending the world at any second. During that time, I couldn't look at the night sky without having a panic attack. I used to recite this very often to myself as I heavily related it to my anxiety and mental health issues. I recovered and have been well for a few years now, I only just remembered about this as I am looking for something to recite for my wedding at the end of the month. The line "Isolation isn't safety, it is death" really was something that helped when I would recite this to myself. A great reminder for all those struggling with mental health issues. This poem means an awful lot to me and reminds me of what I used to struggle with and how far I have come, thank you!

[@ninanicolesol]

so so beautiful. life changing words... "I'm not saying you'll find the meaning of life in other people. I'm saying other people will have a life to which you provide the meaning"

[@TristonTragedy]

This has been my absolute favorite video for years to go to to cry, to feel better, to feel understood. Thank you for recording and posting this video of Neil. It has saved my life many times.

[@queerandhere64]

Favourite poem, favourite spoken word poet. Life changing piece.

[@kelliko70]

Love his stage presence

[@KierraLovesHipsters]

This poem has brought me out of do many dark places

[@RedStoner1000]

This is my favorite work by him. It's so fucking raw. He addresses isolation, loneliness, betrayal, self hatred and inevitability of death all without the end result being entirely depressing. It's remarkable how much I needed to hear the things he has to say in this one. This is by far the most bittersweet and relatable piece of work I've heard by him so far. The message still being positive even when it's so clear the pain that was put into is just fantastic. Thanks Neil. Really.

[@sergiocaldera6568]

Thank you Neil so much. This has made me want to leave my house and actually do something whether it be a nice walk and writing by myself or calling up my friends to make plans. I no longer wish to stay in my room and waste my days alone and wonder why I feel so alienated

[@sierrakatelyn4639]

This poem gives me the strength to keep going and make every day worth something. Thank you, Neil.

[@joeobrien6982]

this pull everything out of me and speaks directly to all of the demons that cripple me daily. thank you neil.

[@kathrynmchugh5301]

You took the words right out of my soul...or at least what is left of it lol

[@SomeCallMeWeird]

'If no one knows you're alive, you aren't.' Powerful, powerful stuff.

[@marissas504]

Just listened to this for the first time in years. Cried twice as hard as I did the first time. I needed this more than anything right now.

[@SophieLouise528]

This is the most perfect thing I've ever heard

[@asuomala]

Might this be me? It feels like me. He says the words I lay down in my head just moments before they are said. Do I perhaps transform in my sleep - making my way to stages around town to present thoughtful poetry? I've never wondered that until I started watching Neil. Or is Neil me? Are we... we? You, me, we are excellent. Keep 'em coming, Neil.

[@4amcuriosity162]

Heh, are we the same if we feel the same emotions basically. Tis but a wavelngth. Resonance.

[@KierraLovesHipsters]

Wow I was really in a dark place when i first discovered this poem 5 years ago thanks Neil 💕

[@TheSmallestStream]

If you don't have OCD or bipolar disorder or any kind of dysfunction then it's difficult to understand how it feels to go through having one. It's amazing to know I'm not special. I'd really love to see him live one day and say thank you!

[@MishaDKroon]

'Love that you hate yourself sometime, because god damn at least there's something left to love.' That probably the line that spoke volumes to me... I love Neil's way of being able to capture a feeling and make it so tragically beautiful. This man is one of my favourite Slam Poets... He's so awesome :3

[@Tetley310]

I want to be in your crowd. If a KZbin video can make me feel so much and connect with you like no one else imagine the impact of being in that crowd. I envy them. You are so strong. When I hear the crowd make stupid little comments, I feel for you Neil. You're so fokken inspiring.

[@TheArtInterviews]

"Isolation is not safety. It is death"

[@Clair3Wils0n]

I wish I could like this twice.

[@vulgarjack]

DFG. There is so much power in those lines he speaks. Pure genius.

[@melvamud5380]

I absolutely agree. It's annoying when people are laughing when it's not funny. There's a serious point being made and his words are powerful!

[@rachelshakedown]

'Whatever you are feeling right now their is a mathematical certainty that someone else feeling that exact same thing. '

[@4amcuriosity162]

Truth

[@mutts9]

This is one of the best poems I've seen from Neil, its insane

[@TristonTragedy]

even after years of watching this video, I still cry everytime

[@tressasmith5534]

my...ex..best friend, she was a amazing girl and I love her... she showed me this poem, this exact reading.. and it means so much. I love this, and I don't know what else to say...

[@tressasmith5534]

the painful fact that this is still relevant..

[@Gwynedolyn]

Neil Hilborn you are too wonderful!

[@arianafagan3230]

Such a god damn eye opener, fuck he's amazing

[@TheLonelycheza]

I CRIED. good god this man's chops...!

[@TheBajaBabe]

My god, this man is absolute perfection.

[@oneway4277]

I've never related to anyone more than neil in my entire life.

[@melvamud5380]

So powerful. Everything he does...just awesome.

[@literallybri509]

Still my favorite thing of all things ever created ever.

[@NotALie12]

I'm crying 😢 so beautiful

[@biologicalymutated]

This is the greatest thing ever.

[@zoe9923]

Favorite poem by him.

[@faydubinsky5055]

I AM IN LOVE THIS GUY IS AMAZING

[@laurahickey8695]

This is my favorite one of his❤️❤️ he's just simply incredible!!

[@chesieblanchard695]

thank you. Just, thank you.

[@tyaolrsiwtf]

I think the tree part is in response to a line from "instructions for a bad day" by Shane Koyczan

[@amiaeverett4999]

or in Shane's "To This Day" when he says "And if a kid breaks in school and no one around chooses to hear, does it make a sound?

[@tyaolrsiwtf]

yes completely, I love both poets so much

[@amiaeverett4999]

yeah me too. they're amazing.

[@jasmyn61]

I just love everything about this

[@deanpfeiffer3488]

This is exactly what I needed

[@4amcuriosity162]

This one is so much better than his newer version!! I didnt even know he preformed this years earlier.

[@tada792]

On those days this is what I tell my self, "whatever u are feeling right now there is a mathematical certainty that someone else is feeling that exact thing." This is not to say u aren't special, this is to say thank God u arent special.

[@katiewims569]

This is beautiful.

[@enguzelicirkinlerin]

powerful beautiful words ♥

[@HayNay55]

Every time I feel like shit, when I find that there no reason to keep breathing, when I feel the urge to be drenched in blood and bath water it listen to this poem... And I cry....

[@pigsrock775]

I needed to hear this.

[@sonamy78]

Im in love with u

[@ophelia369]

Outstanding!

[@sahem62896]

Officially a fan now...

[@zoe9923]

This is perfect.

[@gypzyjz]

OTHER PPL ARE THE LIFE TO WHICH YOU PROVIDE THE MEANING!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! CURRENCY ONLY BUYS MORE CURRENCY!!!! AHHHHHHH AHHHHHH AHHHHHH NEIL HILBORN I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!!!!

[@4amcuriosity162]

>AHHHHHHHHH

[@RadishKings]

Depending on the venue, that's what your supposed to do during poetry readings. When you hear a line that gets to you, go crazy.

[@funfetticupcakes94]

HOLY SHIT THIS POEM IS AMAZING. It reminds me of the nutritionist by andrea gibson.

[@psychocat9475]

This is absolutely fucking fantastic.

[@niamhb6982]

what does he say between 1:20 and 1:22, when people were being rude and making noise through his performance? (leave the clapping till the end, guys)

[@bookgrrrl101]

Welcome to poetry slams, where part of your judgement is the crowd's reaction.

[@SavannahEatsTheSky]

He very dramatically leaves at the end of nearly every video of him I've watched

[@yasminwest2572]

I think I just got saved.

[@29kumquat]

st. paul!

[@zoe9923]

youtube-mp3(.)org. i don't know if theres a way to buy it somewhere.

[@talhapi]

Is there a write up somewhere?

[@Sc1ss0rh4nd5]

What city is this in?

[@Chickensandhippos]

At 1:20 what does he say?

[@jonran]

Is this published somewhere?

[@mrmonkey6789]

probably on button poetry

[@buttbutterson1022]

I want to marry this man

[@DobeliusDobbe]

Where are the puppies dammit!

[@Djaybird]

i disagree, i'm a performer and i'd rather have cheers and applause when i'm still performing then dead cold silence!

[@Lookatmeshine]

[@SuperBProHD]

Hi timthefatman ppl

[@sweettangoTIMMY]

RIP Chester BibleThump

[@BytasRaktai]

I'm terribly disgusted by the people that think it's helpful to cheer and applaud while he is still talking. Stop stealing his moment please, have some respect.

[@Rrenuart]

damn conformist [drinks tea, smokes cigarette with all my non-conformist friends]

[@untrackedvariable]

I needed to hear this.

[@alyssalidman5123]

This is beautiful.