Neil Hilborn - This Is Not the End of the World

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Neil Hilborn, performing at Honey in Minneapolis, MN.
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[@ButtonPoetry]

Support the artist! Get this poem and more in Neil's bestselling book, Our Numbered Days: bit.ly/ournumbereddays

[@hisgirl041109]

My birthday is Saturday and Our Numbered Days is one of the only things I want. Hope Neil makes more books too. Love his work.

[@ButtonPoetry]

Stay tuned for news on that :)

[@hisgirl041109]

Button Poetry ordered a copy. so excited.

[@breckenalejandro3028]

I know im asking randomly but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can offer me!

[@jeremiahmisael8723]

@Brecken Alejandro instablaster =)

[@rakshakannan993]

"Love how you hate yourself...because at least there is still something to hate." My eyes are leaking.

[@MK-nw8yk]

Raksha Kannan thats my favourite line. but to be honest this whole poem makes me weep

[@toshsharma5319]

This is not to say you aren't special This is to say, thank god you aren't There lies so much depth in those sentences

[@Emethegem]

Tosh Sharma and it means so much. I've found my identity in being different, being unlike everyone else in any way possible. So when I was diagnosed with depression, like every other teenager on the planet my age, and I wanted to kill myself, just like everyone else, I found no comfort in the words "you are not alone" because I was alone, and in some ways I liked it, I was unpredictable. This line hit me so hard..

[@Emethegem]

I hope someone else relates to this

[@fatinsakinah6033]

Tosh Sharma

[@Icareaboutyourapple]

"Isolation isn't safety its death If no one knows you're alive, you aren't." "Other people are the life to which you provide the meaning"

[@missjaxsyn]

The exact lines that hit me

[@vellaJuliana]

"This Is Not the End of the World” (transcript) I’ve been hearing that the world is ending I’ve heard it so much this 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 the street I want to go away until I'm gone it take so much less energy to not exist than it does to exist and get burned I’ve been burned so much I am not me anymore I’m a stupid poppet 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 can’t find the sun even though it’s right outside my window when getting out of bed feels like the key in the doomsdays machine so on those days this is what I tell myself whatever you are feeling right now there’s a mathematical certainty that someone else is feeling that exact 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 good night I’ve launched myself from tall places and hoped no one would catch me I’ve ended relationships because suddenly I was also exposed but isolation is not safety It’s death If no one knows you are alive you aren't if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it it does make a sound but then that sound is gone I am not saying you’ll find the meaning of life in other people I’m saying other people are the life to which you provide the meaning see (we are) 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 can’t think your way into a full table you can’t think and makes walls and a roof appear around you I have thought and thought myself in a corners made of words and nightmares and what has it gotten me but more thoughts a currency that only buys more currency so please if you wanna 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 at least there’s still something to hate I know how easy it can be to think and keep thinking until you are 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’s ending soon when we go and we’re all gonna go I will be part of it -Neil Hilborn Holy cow! Thanks for the likes guys!!

[@regentanz7364]

Juliana Ramos thank you :)

[@linny3012]

Juliana Ramos Thank you'

[@cdusdrei856]

Hilborn, thank you for speaking for us: the broken, the lost, the isolated, the dying, and the surviving.

[@nikascheepers1553]

Marshall Frost Fuck, I hate how perfectly you summed that (us) up

[@cdusdrei856]

Nika Scheepers I love the way you appreciated it :)

[@rosaboer39]

this comment itself alone is art, wow 💕

[@Nillowo]

Marshall Frost agreed

[@karmabelieverI]

This hits me even harder.😶

[@nadasabry8902]

Who else has this poem on his mind during covid 19 and self isolation thing? :(

[@olivealexander5885]

been the mood lately

[@sirgeo1492]

Been feeling this a lot lately:( stay strong though💙 we’ll get through this

[@marilainefourie919]

"If you want to continue existing, do something."

[@mayaa8821]

The three people who disliked were crying so hard they thought the thumbs down was a thumbs up

[@bob.ross330]

Maya A Thanks for reminding me to double check

[@karmabelieverI]

I checked again...I guess I hit the thumb's up.🌼

[@krazedshade1834]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I can relate

[@amberkennedy5448]

Beautiful poem. I always listen to Neil when I'm in a bad place. If he ever reads this comment, I want him to know how much he's helped me. Thank you!

[@magdalenatuowiecka3186]

"i'm not saying you find the meaning of life in other people. i'm saying other people are the life to which you provide the meaning" wow, this is something i need to remind myself everyday.

[@bqwadseertg]

"I have thought and thought myself into corners made of words and nightmares and what has it gotten me but MORE thughts." ~I don't think I've ever related to a line in a poem as much as I do to this one.

[@celineyounes4595]

"I've been burned so much I'm not me anymore" THISSSS

[@atronovum3212]

damn yeah

[@4amcuriosity162]

Thats how the Phoenix rises.

[@nika3920]

NEIL YOURE DOING AMAZING SWEETIE

[@kaylajude2453]

Domi Mróz I LOVE Y O U

[@Jayman2800]

HE'S SO CUTE

[@darksun8814]

“I wanna go away until I’m gone” This just hits me because sometimes I want to not exist. I don’t want to die, more like I wish I had never been even a concept, just never existed

[@sarapaolella9694]

This is one of my favourite poems of Neil's book but listening to it instead of reading it is a completely different experience, it has made me shiver

[@brandyngraves8029]

Sara Paolella He has such a powerful voice.

[@danijomusic]

"Love how you hate yourself sometimes, because at least there's still something to hate" Fuck.

[@celineyounes4595]

"Thank God you aren't special"

[@vidhitiwari21]

"There are days when I cant find the sun, even though it's right outside my window" :o

[@maddyk8022]

This is actually my favorite poem of all time. There's an old video of it somewhere and it's in his book as "here and away" and I love the piece more than anything. In fact, I've been considering getting a tattoo based on it because of the profound impact this piece has had on my life. Thank you, Neil, for creating this.

[@eminek8526]

Madlyn Kates what's his book called?

[@cauldronclique6929]

tylerrjoseph His book is Our Numbered Days :)

[@fluffypuppy0]

Madlyn Kates same same same same

[@CharlieArchelli]

Ahh I've been thinking about getting a tattoo from it too. I think I'm going to get a house with the walls leaning to the left

[@marknutt7841]

Alice B. Chamberlain I

[@eeveemakeralibi]

This is an older poem that he's done some editing on. It's interesting to watch how the poems grow and change.

[@trinityfrank2526]

"Learn to make clouds out of your breath." *Vape nation busts through the door.*

[@mxrcla596]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@organicallyhannah]

Trinity Frank in tears and then I read this lol

[@Xxrosemaryxx69420]

LITERALLY VAPING WHILE WATCHING THIS & DIED

[@joshuaconrad7339]

SAAAAME

[@miriameclipse8191]

lol

[@ChelseaCameronMusic]

*snaps* quietly in my room, as I watch by myself with watery eyes.

[@rosaboer39]

Honestly, I'm always coming back to his poems. When I'm bored, when I'm sad, or at night when I'm lonely, like I am now. I always find a way back to his poetry because I guess it's calming to know that you're not alone. He has such an amazing way of capturing feelings and explaining them onto paper. And after every poem I listen to, or read, I think: "this is my favourite one yet". But then I'll find another one and I will love it as much as the first. That continues to do so until I'm calm enough to sleep. So yes, I don't have a favourite poem of you, Neil. But I'm sure that I've found my favourite poet. Thank you for creating such beautiful art, and sharing it with the world (who clearly needs it).

[@ophylias2107]

I really needed this right now. I isolate myself cause I'm a downer right now, and I don't want to hurt my friends further. Despite them telling me they want to see me, my anxiety convinces me that they're lying and that truly, no one wants to be around me. But... I shouldn't let fear stop me from existing. I'm gonna try. I swear.

[@justaboveaverage8040]

Neil puts so much power in his poems, for some it gives that cliche "spoken word poem" sound, but Neil just comes off as genuine every time. Great guy to listen to.

[@marilainefourie919]

Neil, your poetry has saved my life.

[@weareallfritz4365]

I'm not sure who I'm sending this to, but I'm sending it to someone

[@roaatationhasgreatstuff7558]

Gwyn Brady same . Too much risk

[@autumgrames4066]

I revisit this poem time and time again whenever life is at its ugliest. To remind myself I'm still lucky to be a part of it.

[@kayleeckat5933]

i swear he just gets sadder

[@eminek8526]

C. Katniss :(

[@localatlantis809]

C. Katniss I find this one quite hopeful. Very relatable and subtly tragic. But kind of uplifting too.

[@pharmacutie]

LocalAtlantis 89 i agree. his tone is a bit darker than his other versions of this but the way he says 'but' near the end holds so much hope

[@tasiamay2508]

This broke my heart :(

[@Sweet.peach21]

"So please, if you want to continue existing, do something." Love this.

[@hannahriley8383]

God he is such a magical person. His poetry is so beautiful

[@samanthaproctor2665]

I love Neil's poems, used a bunch of them in a poetry unit in English and the teacher even loved it❤❤❤❤

[@_hiraeth_]

After being a shut in for three years I have finally been able to get a normal life back. I started to go to uni again, started to simply feel alive again. And this one means so much to me cause I can relate to every freaking sentence. And just knowing I wasn't alone in that Dark place makes me feel so much better, and it isn't because you know that someone else feels the same, but because you are kinda connected through pain. Thanks for this.

[@jwanamari7828]

my dear friend sent this to me on my bday. thanks to her, i learned how to love how i hate myself sometimes.

[@maryhall6267]

This poem has been my safety net for so many years, I repeat specific lines in my head when I’m feeling “those exact things.” It has been one of the few things that make me feel like I’m not alone. Thank you for producing this, you help people feel understood.

[@randallvance1299]

“A currency that can only buy MORE currency” One of my all time favorite lines in poetry, its so multiuseful

[@smw1300]

My world has been the distance between my bed and the light switch for two weeks. I’ve watched this 5 times in a row now. I really needed to hear this tonight.

[@samevelyn]

This feels so relevant right now

[@uniquefreak37]

For whatever its worth, this is one of the few things that has brought me comfort on the worst days. Thank you.

[@lexuhpro]

THIS IS THE FASTEST I HAVE EVER CLICKED A NOTIF

[@alexwesley8294]

Lexie Jordan MEE TOO

[@kaylajude2453]

Lexie Jordan SAME

[@AL-zf2cm]

SAMEEE

[@ensoyaya]

me too.

[@gabeflores4760]

Lol notification for Neil I actually look at anything else is practically irrelevant

[@ilyem999]

I think about the line "this isn't to say you're not special this is to say thank God your not special" a lot. not sure why it sticks in my head but god do I love all his stuff

[@chiranjitsamanta16]

Came here again after 6yrs just to appreciate how well this is crafted and how it moulded my life, intertwined in it. ❤

[@sararose7768]

"I hear the world is ending soon when we go when we all go I will be apart of it" favorite line

[@SmolHuman1]

“Whatever you’re feeling right now, there is a mathematical certainty that someone else is feeling that exact thing, this is not to say you aren’t special, this is to say thank god you aren’t special”💜

[@katelynbranch216]

Neil's poetry is so perfect

[@katieblankenship688]

Every time I listen to this poem it’s a different line that helps me get through whatever I’m going through.

[@JUStCALLMEZIMM]

introvert poem. love this.

[@emily9919]

This poem aged painfully during the pandemic

[@tiedyedowl8367]

“If you want to continue existing, do something. Love how you have yourself because at least there’s something to hate.”

[@mayaa8821]

"Love how you hate yourself sometimes, because at least there is still something to hate. I know how easy can be to think and keep thinking until you are 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... and we're all gonna go... I will be part of it". It gets me every single time. This poem means a lot to me.

[@isabellevasquez7433]

Me: I’m going to bed early so I’m not exhausted for work tomorrow. Me, at midnight sobbing to Neil again: I guess not

[@SchmumpkinII]

His voice speaks with such strength and conviction. He gives a voice to those of us who, though we all have one, may have fear to use it, but may not know how. He makes me nod a lot during his poems and go..."THAT'S *ME*. HE GETS ME!"

[@Lucas-ce5yc]

This hits so close to home for me. I have always been an over thinker and have thought way too much over the smallest things and worried myself into not doing anything, but I have to remind myself that thinking never accomplished anything. Yeah, it’s good to think things over, but you eventually have to do said things, or else everything you thought will be meaningless.

[@lachlancampbell7838]

This poem saves me every year. Thank you so much Neil

[@elizabethsmith6477]

This has always been one of my favorites!

[@acediaethos4469]

i've been watching his other performance of this since it came out and when i saw this i clicked it before i even knew i did this poem has been so important to me for so long i love neil's words and the look on his face when he performs

[@amitpatil8747]

This is one of my favorite poems from your book!

[@GraceCarras]

opened for you at michigan state. needed this. thank you.

[@SkittlezIsAUnicorn]

needed to hear this. so thankful it came up on my feed.

[@samanthawikoff8159]

This poem is Here and Away in his book and by god it is the best poem he has ever written. ❤️

[@destinyheath6583]

Literally listen to this so often. I love it so much.

[@martynasmiech4062]

This is so oddly comforting. Thank you!

[@TaysSparklyDresses]

I LOVE THIS POEM SO MUCH THANK YOU FOR POSTING IT IT HELPS ME SO MUCH

[@monicac5678]

gosh wow always love your work, Neil. another amazing and moving piece.

[@christalodum3365]

He is so amazing! I needed this so much right now.

[@amygillett7349]

Neil is hands down my favourite poet

[@kylehill9981]

i adore this, especially the last lines wow

[@nadiaaiden3296]

"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, cause at least there is still something to hate!" Your words hit my heart, my head, my mind, my soul, my eyes are uncontrollably leaking.. The way your words touches me is unbelievable. Thank you so much Neil. Nadia

[@Metanoia10]

Needed this today.

[@psalm23sheep53]

This poem is my favorite thing ever written.

[@crowsandrainbows]

he always makes me want to cry. beautiful. thank you.

[@juliev7786]

That's my favorite poem. Thank you so much for sharing it

[@maddie.bolland.7]

This is so so good... there are so many tears.

[@nadiaray5218]

So much love. 💕

[@brandiwhitmore]

I always have and always will turn to this. Thank you.

[@gabrielsvabensky3040]

Oh, I've been waiting for him to perform this poem. It has been my favourite since I got the book!

[@annalisealvarez825]

This has always been my favorite poem of yours Neil/low key of all time. Helped me through more things than I can explain. Thank you :)

[@rubyslade8563]

Thank you so, so much for this piece of art

[@sage.anniex]

Every word, every sentence is profound. Beautiful

[@anjb7444]

one of my many favorites from neil

[@arnimaxinehilvano4695]

this is too wonderful, thank you

[@_parrylarry_]

god Neil's poetry always hits me, this one especially hard. I needed to hear these words so much today, thank you.

[@denverjordan9145]

This really hits different right now

[@danicamacho3551]

So thankful for this art

[@valerietrujillo1705]

i love all his work . it has beauty and meaning and its so amazing.

[@adamloosle8628]

this is why Neil Hilborn is my favorite slam poet. like freaking EVER!!!!

[@poppetanya]

neil... the poet who brung me to my love of poetry.. i cant wait to see him live when i can!

[@paigeal-yamani720]

his poems always speak to me and bring me to tears...im so glad to have the pleasure of hearing and reading this man's work.

[@jessmosher1040]

Neil, you bring me out of my funk each and every time. Thanks brother 💜

[@jamesroethleinGenXpoet]

Very expressive and so spot on.

[@tylercrowder9973]

I really needed this tonight.

[@sergiocaldera6568]

this is hands down my favorite poem

[@TheLinguistable]

Great message! Reminds me of the song "The Story."

[@feminist_politics]

Thanks for making my heart break and melting it back together

[@Jon_Chhan]

i like how his brain forms his thought and how he expresses it in such a manner i cannot speak of!

[@marionsage549]

Thank you man!!! I love you soo much!! Xoxo

[@anthonymoyoproach6922]

Neil is so gifted, I love the inspiration and passion he speaks with while sharing his poetry

[@thepoeticgenius1986]

This is one of the most amazing poems I've heard. I relate to a lot of the emotion as well...definitely felt this. Love the perspective, I know it came at a price.

[@mulanfranken3669]

Beyond brilliant!