Poetry has inherent creative power to generate innovation

THE WHALE’S FAREWELL DANCE

The rhythmic rise and flawless fall

of this mother whale, codes

the surface air of the restless ocean.

And curls, into endless embraces

to kiss, the curvaceous currents

in the veins of a boisterous, surging sea.

And swirls around, a rising titanic

into the welcoming sky, over and over

with smooth eloquent certainty.

This majestic mother whale blows kisses

at assemblies of curious creatures

and salsas to unheard verses of her last song.

She takes a bow to echoes of ancient memories

and slowly her tail flaps, gently ever gently

she downward journeys to life beyond.

the poet

professor brian williams

Brian Williams was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to working for peace and justice, which is often reflected in his poetry.

Professor Mazisi Kunene—philosopher, poet laureate of Africa and academic:

“…I wish to state that in all the literature of our era which I have read, in my estimation, I consider Brian to be one of the rare type of poet’s poet. The claim is not made frivolously but in acknowledgment of a poet who is continuously engaged in the dilemmas and fate of our human life not only in the present but also in all eras…”

read more >

Professor Keith Gottschalk, political scientist, poet and public intellectual
In a comment published in “Daughters of the First” (2015), Keith stated that

“…Brian Williams has consistently stood up for principles of integrity and social justice, even at harsh personal cost to himself… Repeatedly, when appealed to by persons who had suffered injustice – even senior academics and administrators: he applied the principles of accountability against very powerful individuals…for this he has been maliciously attacked.”

Songezo Maqula, at the time that he was the President of the Convocation of the University of the Western Cape Convocation, stated amongst others in “Voices Awakened” (2016) and in “Daughters of the First” (2015) that

“The poetry of Professor Brian Williams is a must read for all those who care about humanity and the freedom of all people who live on this planet…Poetry is one of the most exciting ways to liberate us intellectually and creatively and this, the poetry of Brian achieves. His poetry calls us to journey in search for a deeper revelation of beauty…During the anti-apartheid struggles, he was detained twice and charged in terms of the Internal Security Act because of his principles in opposition to oppression.”