A CLYDEBANK man who achieved his ambition of having his poetry published for a global audience to enjoy is now hoping to present his work to his former teachers.

Andrew F.M. Wilson has been writing poetry for more than 25 years.

But it was a chance meeting between his father and a director of a publishing company which made his dream become a reality.

The former Clydebank High pupil said: “Like many other school kids, I remember the day my English teacher said we were going to study poetry.

“I was the one who groaned the most and drew the teacher’s attention. Little did I realise that day how much poetry would change my life.

“When I did write my first poem I realised I had found a way to finally say all the things I could never say.

“Poetry became not only my release but also a way for me to deal with my pent up and unaddressed issues.

“This is a safari through those issues, some serious, some not, and some downright ridiculous.

“When my trilogy is completed, it would be nice to meet up with Ms McNab and Mr Rankin after all these years and present them with my books. After all, they started this journey I am on.”

Michele Smith, the managing director of Jasami Publishing Ltd, was the person who first recognised Andrew’s talent and signed him to a deal.

She said: “Although these poems are a reflection of Andrew’s personal life, the sensitivity, creativity, and artistic originality reveal the feelings common in humanity, especially during these challenging times.

“It illustrates the resilience of human nature and that we will not only persevere and prevail but flourish and prosper.”

Andrew’s first two volumes, Fireworks and Aftermaths Vol. I and Garden of Monsters Vol. II, part of his Reflections Observation and Emotions trilogy, are both available through the Jasami Publishing Ltd website.