I might be a little burned out with poetry or just have heard and read so much of Neil Hilborn, that I am not jumping up and down over The Future by him as I have with his other book or with other Button Poetry Poets. Yet, The Future is still amazing. He knows what he is talking about with depression, life and death. He has lived, and is living, his subject matter. He “gets it” and wants to share that with you. He is a fantastic writer, poet and story teller.
“The worst thing about being naked and then being hit by a car is that road rash is a problem for skin.”
You think, Neil?
But it does not stop there. He knows how to spin and twist and turn each poem. One of the only complaints I have (other than both of his books are too short) is that he is a bit of a “repeater” with his poems. Both Our Numbered Days and The Future deal with similar topics and sound the same. His style (so far) has not varied too far off course. With that said, I have a ton of sticky notes and underlined phrases as usual. I am not sure if the line-liking means the whole poem speaks to me or I just liked that turn of phrase. Yet, it does not really matter. It is good regardless.
If you want a real treat find Hilborn reading The Future (the name of the last poem and book) on YouTube, Facebook or on Button Poetry’s website.
