Keep Breathing - Poetry by Liz Samuels

My writing students continue to astound me with their creative range. In her poem "Braids," Liz Samuels skillfully weaves sounds, words, and meaning. Who knew you could get so much mileage out of alliteration?


Braids
by Liz Samuels



Brushing brunette braids

of the barefoot bride

in the Bassilica of St.Benedict



Bending backwards in my B-Cup brassiere,

burgundy blouse

and baggy bottoms



A “bum” with a beer belly

Black and blue bruise on his butt

Blows bubbles



Big belly breath



Blocked borders

Battle of the Bulge

Big Bertha

Buried bones in Bergen Belsen



Blatantly biased

British Broadcasting,

Barclay's Bank borrows billions



Big belly breath



Bible's burning bush

Betty Boop in black and white

Barbara Bush in baby blue



Backyard Bird Shop,

Best Buy

in Boston

Baobao's bark beneath

Breech birth in Benin



Big belly breath



The Berkeley Barb

Birch branches

Buzzing bees



Beach blankets and beach balls

Beanie babies and building blocks

Baby bibs and barking beagles



Bouncing on beanbags

Baby Baluga, Baa Baa Black Sheep

and Billy Boy blaring



Breathe



BB King and Bugles

Blues and Booze

By the bougainvillea



Beet Borscht

Bread and Butter

Bangers and Bratwurst



Bunches of broccoli

Beef broth, bacon bits

Barbecued burgers



Baking Brown Betty

Buckling my belt.

Bracing for a blizzard



Big belly breath



Braided bark of the Baobao

Braided bread, braided belts, braided baskets

Beaded braids of the brunette bride



Breathe Big