Slam poetry finds us at the right times. Whether it’s a link off Facebook or a post on Upworthy — if YouTube is good for one thing besides cat videos, it’s slam poetry. Famous poet Neil Hilborn will be performing at UMaine on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the North Pod of the Memorial Union.

The Boston-based poet became famous after his performance of his poem “OCD” went viral, gaining more than 8 million views on YouTube. Hilborn is a College National Poetry Slam champion, and a 2011 graduate with honors from Macalester College with a degree in Creative Writing. Neil was a member of the 2011 Macalester Poetry Slam team, which ranked first in the nation at the 2011 College National Poetry Slam. His work has been featured in publications such as Borderline Magazine and Orange Quarterly.

Hilborn consistently posts new slam poetry on his Facebook page perpetuating the idea of sharing words and ideas through slam poetry. In the spirit of this idea here are five great slams to check out. Reminder, there’s nothing like hearing a slam in person so be sure to see Hilborn in the Union on Friday.

1. “The Future” — Neil Hilborn  

Neil Hilborn went viral for a reason, his poetry has a way of remaining specific to his own experience but relating ideas to an audience that are accessible and applicable. In “The Future” Hilborn speaks about disordered cognitive functioning. Hilborn moves from satirical to serious while remaining inspiring. He points out the fragility in life. He relates that life isn’t perfect but the imperfections are the reasons to keep living, to see the future (also of interest: “OCD” and “Mating Habits of the North American Hipster”).

2. “More Often than Sometimes” — Shane Koyczan

Shane Koyczan’s gentle presence makes this poem intimate and subtle. While the subject of the poem is often forward, Koyczan does a great deal of work to build the character of his partner through scenes and small details. His anecdotal evidence builds into a poem that touches you on the shoulder, saying ‘remember that time you fell in love? Yeah, it felt good didn’t it?’ (also of interest: “To This Day”).

3. “The Nutritionist” — Andrea Gibson

Andrea Gibson grew up in Maine, occupying a special place in the hearts of Mainers who love slam. Gibson’s work focuses on issues of social equality and gender norms, however she tells many of these stories through relationships and love. “The Nutritionist” uses the speaker’s experience with doctors trying to “cure” her of being gay. She tells stories through metaphors, which bleed into her experiences. Gibson’s most recent album “Golden Bird” incorporates music with her poetry (also of interest: “Maybe I need you”).

4. “Pretty” — Katie Makkai, Man Up — Guante

Thematically, these poems compliment each other. They address media images of gender and the pressure to conform to those issues. Makkai talks about her mother’s pressure for her to undergo surgery, all to fulfill the image of being “pretty.” Guante approaches the concept of the term “man up” and the term’s detrimental nature (also of interest: “Smalltalk” Guante)

5. “No Child Left Behind” — Dominique Christina and Denise Frohman

This poem made the final stages of College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. Christina and Frohman, who are both great poets individually, team up to create a stronger voice under the name “Sister Outsider.” Their voice speaks for all minorities who struggle to fit into the confines of standardized education under the banner of “No Child Left Behind.” They speak on a theme a lot of other slam poets address but do so in a way that says “we won’t take no,” and with a unified voice for a better future (also of interest: “The Period Poem” from Christina and “Dear Straight People”).