Billy Neeson
Featured Artist:
Billy Neeson: Breathtaking Articulation
by Gene Marie
“Poetry for me is a release from sadness, and a celebration of joy. Once it is down on paper, be it happy or sad, the writing helps me move on.”
“Sometime in the future when the snows have come and the feeble embers of life have at last succumb, when our last good-bye has been and gone, so dim the glow that brightly shone. Those beautiful words lead you through Billy Neeson’s poem, I will Wait My Lonely One. Neeson’s writings are an experience of entering an ambient atmosphere where beauty is the very underpinning of all that is within. Your heart is restfully bathed in soothing emotions. This dedicated writer creates gracious poetry. His works are expressive and captivating, using eloquent, sustaining words and components. Neeson’s ability to write the scores for harmonious, flowing symphonies is the key to his writings vivacity.
It was an early beginning which imbued him with a desire for poetry, giving him a strong sense of personal articulation. Now his poetry connects with the innermost souls, drawing them in so their personal emotions are translated into personal inspiration. “I began writing poetry at a very early age, at school I loved to read poetry, so it was almost a natural progression to begin writing some of my own.
I was born and reared in Northern Ireland, (I’m sure you’ve all heard of it, it’s that place where everyone hates everyone else) well if you believe the newscast that is. It is not how I see my country; it is a wonderful place (And I mean, as in full of wonder) with beautiful mountains and valleys, as is the whole island of Ireland.
I was the youngest of a poor family of three brothers and three sisters, and myself making seven altogether. Though times were hard, I had a wonderful childhood, and my early teen years are full of wonderful memories. Being from such a background almost invariably meant that my political leanings would be to the left of centre. I have been a prominent member of a trade union since my youth and I still am to this day. I have felt the need to fight for the rights of the underprivileged all of my life, and have made many lifelong friends and colleagues in the process.
I love all the old poets but my favourite I think, (And is a hard pick) would be Thomas Moore, an Irish poet of some renown. Like him my surroundings, the countryside, the mountains, valleys and rivers inspire me. Most of my poetry would be very personal and would relate to those surroundings, and to my life. Like most people who write poetry I am inspired to write by all kinds of events and happenings, poetry for me is a release from sadness, and a celebration of joy. Once it is down on paper, be it happy or sad, the writing helps me move on.”
When asked how often he concentrates on his writings he responded, “I do not “concentrate” as such on my writing, by that I mean I do not force myself to write poetry. I do not sit down intentionally to write poetry. I write at the strangest of times and in the weirdest of places. I can be inspired by a view, or by something deep and profound that someone else has said.”
I love all of Neeson’s poems but I read Take Time more than once, I had to ask him about it. “This poem was written at a time in my life when the world seemed to be crowding in on me. When I was unable or unwilling to see the beauty that surrounds me. It was a message to me if you like, as I have said my poems are all very personal.”
My poetry are like my children, I don’t have a favourite, they all have a significance to me in their own right. If I was forced to choose, I would have to say that one I wrote many years ago called “Sweet Shamrock”, a poem about my country and it’s problems, would be one of my favourites.
When I asked Neeson about his dreams he stated, “That one day, please God soon, all the people of Ireland can live in peace.” Neeson is gifted with the ability to express himself and help and inspire people to express themselves, we are proud and honoured to have his poetry on our site!
POETRY
If Ever You Are Lonely
By Billy Neeson
If your heart is ever heavy, just sit and muse awhile,
If you should need a shoulder or a sympathetic ear
Then call on me my dearest friend for I’ll be waiting here.
Just speak my name out loudly, your pain will soon be gone.
If all around you changes, each sight and sound and name
Then call on me, my dearest friend ,for I’ll remain the same.
And all the friends you thought you had are no longer there
When life and love and happiness seem far back in the past
Then call on me my dearest friend my love will ever last.When you feel that you have reached the point of no return
And all around you seems so bare ,there is nothing left to learn
When all your dreams are broken and scattered on lifes shore
Then call on me my dearest friend,its these times that friends are for.
Billy Neeson
INTRINSIC EXPRESSION CONTRIBUTOR
Copyright Billy Neeson
Member of Poets Who Care (UK)
