A Break from the Norm

Breaking free from the usually dreary and cryptic anthology… welcoming entertaining, simple, easily-understood and provocative poetry…



See three samples below:







(65) VACANCIES



An applicant called today

Dressed well but looked hopeless

Credentials filled his bag,

But he left as he came.



Vacancies in newspapers,

Vacancies on posters,

Vacancies on the web,

Vacancies on the air.



Vacancies that do not exist,

Vacancies have been filled,

Vacancies from fraudsters

That hoodwink the helpless.



The use of long arms,

Or the use of connections,

Or the use of kickbacks

Is not always effective.



Passing exams is battle,

Going to college is war,

Getting good jobs is futile,

And some jobs need no degrees.



An applicant called today

But his objective failed.

He left only papers,

Will he go on like this?



Ben Alani (November 2007)









(105) SOLDIER ANTS



…We shall all enemies batter,

…we shall all obstacles scatter,

…we shall all do that matter,

…we shall make our ranks fatter

For our future gather

The food-gathering for generation latter

There are many reasons to gather

Tomorrow may be nothing but water,

And many humans madder

So, to bite them, we are gladder –

With a million teeth harder.

Explore for a safer haven

Meanwhile a myriad

Insect and animals fall prey,

To our battalions and commandos –

…And we shall make our ranks fatter,

…we shall all do that matter,

…we shall all obstacles scatter,

…we shall all enemies batter,

…we shall all enemies batter,

…we shall all obstacles scatter,

…we shall all do that matter,

…And we shall make our ranks fatter.

For our future gather

Till there’s nothing for human madder

Our ranks move forward

Ruthless reckless restless

As we search the Promised Land,

Ruthless reckless restless

As we act with one accord

Ruthless reckless restless

As our youngs’ future counts

Ruthless reckless restless

As our adversaries scramble –

…And we shall make our ranks fatter,

…we shall all do that matter,

…we shall all obstacles scatter,

…we shall all enemies batter.



(Ben Alani, 2009)









(107) A BUFFALO DIES IN A TOWN



A buffalo dies in a town

Where there’s no knife

To those who know not their values

Opportunities flash themselves



A buffalo dies in a town

Where there’s a need for meat

By they don’t recognize that

The dead buffalo is a bundle of meat –

Opportunities come as a curse

Peace often disguises as disappointments

Prevention from worst experiences comes as delays



A buffalo dies in a town

Where they prefer to look for meat in the desert

Acres of diamonds – acres of diamonds

What we have we never appreciate



A buffalo dies in a town

Where it’s left to rot and waste

We take no advantage of opportunities



A buffalo dies in a town

Where residents are complacent and sluggish

On the other side the grass is always greener

Conwell’s Acres of Diamonds! – There’s no pity

For the rich man’s child

Who’s overpampered and ungrateful

To create wealth is better

Than to inherit it



A buffalo dies in a town

Where things are taken for granted

But tough times make people

Tough, self-reliant and resilient

More than being garrulous and loquacious

Actions do matter

Strengthening those persevering

On the earth

The courage to face the odds

In the world

And prove themselves by their effort.



(Ben Alani, 2009)





The rest of the 108 poems can be seen here:

A Break From the Norm: