Major Works
Pauline Busbee (center) and some of her family (Photo courtesy of the author)
- Heart Pine (1994) Poetry
Biography of Pauline Simmons Busbee
Pauline Simmons Busbee was born on September 8, 1917 in Meridian, Mississippi. She is now eighty-six years old. Her parents were Fred and Eva Simmons. She is a graduate of Meridian High School. She went to Withworth College in Brookhaven, which no longer exists, to major in journalism. She has nine children who inspired her to do her book Heart Pine, and to whom she dedicates the book . Heart Pine is a mixture of her life and fiction. It’s inspired by several occasions of her life. According to Busbee, her poems reflect “love of nature as well as deep appreciation of family relationships” (Heart Pine). Busbee has many writings but will not publish them “because of her age,” laughed Mrs.. Busbee. The foundation of Busbee’s work is her love for her nine children and a strong faith in God.
Busbee has been recognized by many literary authorities for her contribution to the field of poetry. She is an active and contributing member of the National Poetry Society, Mississippi Poetry Society, Alabama Writers’ Conclave, The Round Table Literary Club, and the Sowashee Writers” (Heart Pine).
UPDATE:
Busbee celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, in Meridian. She and her late husband (Westley Floyd Busbee Sr)., have nine children: Wes Busbee Jr., Rush Busbee, Kent Busbee Sr., Lane Busbee, Philip Busbee, Robin Busbee McCarty,Jeannine Busbee Davidson Bradley, the late Sherry Busbee and the late Mark Busbee. She has 16grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Reviews
A Review of Heart Pine
by Keshia Davis (SHS)
Keshia Davis, SHS
Heart Pine by Pauline Simmons Busbee is a collection of poems. Her poems deal with situations in life as well as nature. Some of her poems were really good and I could get into them fully; some were not as good. I have some favorites that I could relate to because similar events that have happened in my life. For example, one of the poems that I could relate to was “Dead Voices.” “Dead Voices” is about the narrator going into her grandfather’s house and he’s not there. The only thing she has left is the memories. I can relate to this situation because this is how my mom felt when her parents died, and I did too. It just brings back memories to walk in the house, when everything’s dusty and still. Another poem that I liked was “I Cry at Night.” In this particular poem, the narrator wants her boyfriend to stay alive. I like this poem because I also cry at night when my boyfriend has done something really mean, and I don’t know what else to do but cry. I just cry to make myself feel better. Another good poem was entitled “My Mother.” This poem reminds me of my mother because she’s always loving, hoping, and praying for others; living for me always. I also read “Illusions.” This poem reminds me of me because when I’m in class, I daydream and see things that really aren’t there. I also daydream just by looking at the clouds and pretend they look like different things.
I think that most of the poems are really great. I can relate to many aspects of her poems because I am a teenager and everyday I have more things to deal with. I know that the things Busbee writes about are going to happen later in life to me as well.
Interview with Pauline Simmons Busbee (December 11, 2003)
by Keshia Davis, SHS
K.D: What inspired you to write?
PSB: I had nine children that wanted me to write
KD: When were you born?
PSB: September 8, 1917 in Meridian, Mississippi
KD: What are your parents’ names?
PSB: Fred and Eva Simmons
KD: What high school and college did you attend?
PSB: I graduated from Meridian High School and went to college at With worth, which no longer exists
KD: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
PSB: It came gradually at a very young age. I had a teacher in high school that encouraged me as well
KD: Was it difficult to get your book published?
PSB: My older son was very helpful, and he did all the work contacting people (he owns Encore). He also did
all the business parts.
KD: Is Heart Pine based on your life?
PSB: It’s a mixture of my life and fiction. It’s inspired by several occasions of my life.
KD: Who are your favorite authors?
PSB: The Old English early writers
KD: What author influenced you the most?
PSB: Burns and Keats
KD: What kind of student were you in high school?
PSB: I was an average student, had fairly grades in English
KD: Are you working on a new book?
PSB: No, I have a lot of writing, but I’m not going to publish it because I’m eighty-six years old .
KD: Have you received any awards?
PSB: I have quite a few. The most recent award I have gotten was a Gum tree Award from Tupelo, MS
KD: How has Mississippi influenced your writing?
PSB: I love Mississippi. Mississippi has a lot of talented people and wonderful climate
KD: Besides writing what else do you like to do?
PSB: I love going to church and worshiping God, playing cards with my friends, and going out to eat.
Related Websites
Bibliography
- Busbee, Pauline Simmons. Heart Pine. Brandon, Mississippi: Busbee, 1993.
- Busbee, Pauline Simmons. Telephone Interview. 11 December 2003.