Tag: Athol Williams

The lone palm shakes its dangling locks
to brush off marauding gales. It tilts
then straightens, a Sisyphus of grit.

But the onslaught persists for years as
intent rips through the flesh of leaves,
snaps the bones of branches.

Cracked bonds run up and down
the tree’s trunk, tall with optimism,
but now bowing to an unseen god.

Then,
every cell lets go, breathless,
the concrete sky falls.

– ‘Hurricane’

‘Mr. Williams became a whistle-blower and was the source of many of the emails and other information that the judicial commission relied on …’ – New York Times

Publication date: June 2025

ISBN: 978-0-6398626-1-3

Kindle: End & Beginning

ATHOL WILLIAMS is an applied philosopher and poet based in the UK. He holds seven degrees including a doctorate from Oxford University, where he currently lectures. He is the recipient of numerous literary, academic and public service awards including two Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Awards and the Mayor’s Medal for Extraordinary Bravery from the City of Cape Town. Athol has been living in exile since 2021 after exposing state capture in South Africa. End & Beginning is his seventh book of poetry.