Secular Verses, now available to buy on Amazon, is a collection of poetry exploring my experiences as a secularist, atheist and humanist. With poems ranging from the thoughtful and lyrical to the comic and polemic, there's something to inspire every reader's interest and imagination. For a sneak peek see below, and subscribe to the superb e-magazine Humanistically Speaking were I have a regular spot in Poet's Corner.
“Alexander Williams… has contributed to a very small and select range of Humanist poetry. He is thoughtful, perceptive, reflective and occasionally pointed, and he expresses so well the essential Humanist worldview. This is a beautiful and inspiring book, and a must addition to any well-balanced collection – Humanist or not.”
- David Brittain – Executive Editor, Humanistically Speaking Magazine
“Secular Verses takes a variety of familiar atheistic themes and transforms them into a lively and enjoyable new idiom. A welcome new addition to the slender library of humanist verse.”
- David Warden, Chairman of Dorset Humanists and an Honorary Member of Humanists UK
What’s a Humanist?
They trust in methodologies objective and specific
They describe observed phenomena in a manner scientific
They reject all explanations couched in ghosts or ghouls or spirits
They circumscribe their arguments with naturalistic limits
They ask to see the evidence before they reach conclusions
They prefer to confess ignorance than make up false solutions
They try to meet all human beings with kindness and compassion
And to treat all other animals in corresponding fashion
They’ve no evidence of afterlife, so reasonably deduce
That this is the one life that we have of any earthly use
They put aside the magical claims of many an ancient text
And instead use moral judgement to decide what to do next.
So, in answer to your question, having thought the whole thing through
I’d say it sounds a lot like me. Would you say it’s like you?
Hummingbird
What on Earth more wondrous
Than a hummingbird exists?
Nature’s glory
Floating sharp, a sliver
Silver in a liquid air
Purple-dash flash-blue of slicing
Vibration, mocking gravity
Drinking deep the lees
Of floral nectar hidden
From less specialised imbibers.
Bobbing wonder
Flit of beauty
Pinnacle of process
Evolutionary
Cousin of
All life.
The Garden of Eden
The Happy Humanist
If you're looking for a Humanist representative to talk to your group or society, take part in a debate, Q&A or interfaith discussion, please feel free to get in touch. I regularly host poetry evenings, blending readings from my collection with an open mic session in which everyone has the chance to share their own favourite and original poems.
"Thank you Alex for such a wonderful evening of poetry! We have already had a couple of members message us to say what a lovely event it was, and we are so pleased with how it went!"
-Steve Ashley, Treasurer, Gloucestershire Humanists (2022)
"Thank you SO much for a wonderful evening. I've had really positive feedback from our members, they really enjoyed the event and took a lot away from the evening. We really appreciate it!"
-Kat Reynolds, Chair, Brighton Humanists (2022)
For many years I've contributed to the annual Watford Celebration Sacred Space, the videos of the 2020 and 2021 discussions are available below.
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